The funeral of former Tyrone player and manager Tom McKeagney took place in Fivemiletown at the weekend.

The deceased was one of Tyrone’s best-known footballers during the lean years of the 1960s. He helped Augher to their maiden O’Neill Cup triumph in 1976 before going on to manage the Red Hands. He was assistant manager to Art McRory when Tyrone reached their first All-Ireland SFC final in 1986.

“The death of Tom McKeagney, after a long and accomplished life, takes from us another of that heroic band who did so much half-a-century ago to build the base for the prosperity Tyrone GAA now enjoys,” a county board statement read.

“A player for Tyrone in the 1960s, Tom was one of the stalwarts who kept the faith in a decade where Tyrone wins were scarce, and successes were non-existent.

“He then starred in Augher’s first-ever O’Neill Cup success in 1976, before becoming involved as Tyrone senior manager and assistant manager, helping us to hugely important Ulster titles and our first-ever All-Ireland Senior Final appearance in 1986.

“Over the following years he was a relentless member of Club Tyrone. Simply a masterclass in leaving things so much better than he found them.

“Our deepest sympathy goes to Kathy, Krystine, Ciara, Orla and Paul, to Tom’s wider family circle, to his many friends and colleagues, to all those who played with and for him, and to the Gaels of Fintona/Augher/Fivemiletown/the Clogher Valley.”

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