Cloughduv's Michael Keane a worthy recipient of GAA President's Award

Last Friday night’s ceremony for the presentation of the GAA President’s Awards was a proud occasion for Cloughduv Hurling Club and, in particular, Michael Keane.

After a playing career that lasted from U14 level up to 1971, when he was 35 – with a county junior medal won in 1970 – Michael served as a referee and was involved in countless Cloughduv teams as a selector as well being active on the administration side.

When proposals for a President’s Award recipient were sought last year – one person per province is chosen, along with other categories such as LGFA, camogie, Gaeilge and a family award – Cloughduv had little hesitation in putting forward Michael.

“We discussed it at the time and felt that Michael would be a deserving winner,” says Gabriel McNabola, whose term as club chairperson recently concluded.

“As is the way of things in a GAA club, the focus moves on to other things, so it was a lovely surprise to get word back that Michael was to get the Munster award.

“There aren’t a lot of these awards given out, so it’s a huge honour for him and the club.”

As a Leitrim native relocating to Cloughduv around a decade and a half ago after a spell in the UK, McNabola quickly came to realise that Michael was one of those people who are the oil in a club’s engine.

“There’s always a lot of background jobs to be done but Michael took care of so much,” he says.

“Often, you’d see him cutting the pitch and wonder why he was doing it at the time but then a few days of rain would come and you’d realise he was able to anticipate these things!

“At the same time, when the club bought a robotic lawnmower for the main pitch, Michael was fully in favour of that.”

Born in 1936, Michael’s involvement in the GAA began at just six years of age, when a neighbour, who crafted hurleys for Cork players in the 1940s, brought him to his first match. From that day on, Michael became part of the club’s everyday life, helping with pitch lining and maintenance long before he ever took to the field.

After taking up refereeing, Michael embarking on a distinguished 24-year journey, including crossing over the county bounds to referee Kerry senior hurling matches. Among his refereeing highlights include the Cork SHC finals of 1985 and 1986 and the All-Ireland Colleges SAFC decider in 1987.

Having retired from refereeing, he later became the county board referees’ administrator, mentoring many emerging referees and officials, offering guidance and constructive feedback to help them progress.

The official citation for Michael’s selection as an award winner summed up the way Michael has given his life to his club in an ever-changing landscape – literally, in terms of the development of Cloughduv’s facilities.

“To Michael, Cloughduv Hurling Club is the heart of the parish and a cornerstone of community life,” it read.a

“Even today, he remains a constant presence encouraging, supporting, and advising players from the youngest underage teams to the adult squads. His steady influence has shaped the club’s achievements and spirit over many decades.

“From the simple pitch of his childhood to the modern facilities of today, including three playing fields, an astro-turf training area, a walking track, an indoor astro, a gym, and more, Michael has witnessed remarkable growth in the club, being immensely proud of the current facilities developed by the club in the last 20 years.

“His lifelong dedication has played a meaningful role in the club’s journey and its enduring success.”