Cork football legend Kevin Kehily passes away

The death has occurred of former Cork footballer Kevin Kehily today (Sunday) following a long illness.

The Newcestown native wore the Rebels geansaí with distinction, playing for the senior football team for 15 years from 1969 to 1984. During that time, Kehily won three Munster medals and two All-Stars. He missed the 1973 Sam Maguire triumph after stepping away from the team that year to focus on his studies.

The no-nonsense defender in his day won Munster Colleges' titles as a dual player with Hamilton High School Bandon. Kehily’s adult club career with his beloved Newcestown lasted over 20 years, during which time he won junior A championship medals in both codes as well as captaining the West Cork club to IFC glory in 1971.

He also enjoyed success with his division, Carbery, as they won the Cork SFC in 1968 and 1971. Kehily first appeared for Cork with the minor footballers that won the 1967 All-Ireland minor championship before winning an All-Ireland medal with the Cork U21 footballers three years later.

Despite relocating to Bishopstown, Kehily never forgot his roots and was involved with a number of teams in Newcestown down through the years from juvenile section up to adult level. He was physical trainer of the Cork senior hurling team that won three All-Ireland titles on the bounce in 1976, ’77 and ’78, before returning to the same role in 1993.

Kehily was part of the Bishopstown football management team that led the city club to the Cork SFC final in 2004. He also coached Courcey Rovers hurlers in the 1980s and 1990s.

In 2013, Kehily was named on the football ‘Stars of the 1980s’ team and was honoured on All-Ireland SFC final day that year before the Dublin and Mayo contest.