A funeral mass has been held in County Cork for the mother of Roy Keane, who paid tribute to her and said it felt ‘like the heart has been ripped out of our chests’.
Marie Keane died ‘peacefully’ at a hospice on Friday while surrounded by her family.
The former captain of Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland posted a photo of him with his mother to social media after her death, accompanied by the caption ‘you’ll always be the boss’.
Condolences have poured in for Keane from ex-players including Sir David Beckham, Gary Neville and Robbie Keane.
TV presenter Patrick Kielty and comedian Des Bishop also expressed support to Keane following his mother’s death.
He attended the funeral mass at the Church of the Resurrection at Farranree on Tuesday morning along with family members.
A funeral mass has been held in County Cork for the mother of Man United legend Roy Keane
Keane paid a heartfelt tribute to his late mother last week following her passing
Former Republic of Ireland footballer David O’Leary was among those who attended the ceremony.
During the ceremony, Keane paid a touching tribute to his mother, as he thanked her for the incredible role she played in his life.
He said: ‘From a selfish point of view we weren’t ready for my mam to go yet. Today, we feel like the heart has been ripped out of our chest. Our mam would not want us to make a fuss today.
‘Our mam played so many different roles in our lives. She was a wife, mother, sister, daughter, mother-in-law and grandmother. She was pretty cool at all of them.
‘We can take comfort in knowing she was so deeply loved. We mourn her but we have to celebrate her life as well.’
A wedding photo of Maria and her late husband Maurice ‘Mossie’ sat on her coffin. They married in the same church in 1963.
Keane added: ‘It has been a tough few years for my mam especially when our dad passed away. I never once heard her complain, not once. What a woman she was.
‘Ultimately, our mam and dad were at their happiest when they were together. And they are together. God bless, mam – and thanks for everything you did for us.’
Former Republic of Ireland star David O’Leary was among those who attended the ceremony
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BREAKING NEWS Roy Keane pays heartbreaking tribute to his mother after ‘the boss’ passed away surrounded by family
Keane also opened up on his happy childhood with his mother and said he only had ‘great memories of growing up’.
He described her ‘wicked sense of humour’ and said she was ‘pretty cool all the time but as a mother she excelled’.
‘Our mam didn’t always get what we wanted but always gave us what we needed,’ he added.
‘She was pretty strict with us and if we were up to no good she had an amazing skill of throwing a shoe and no matter where we were in the house, she would always hit the target.
‘Walking around and getting a bag of chips (on summer holidays to Garrettstown). I thought life was great. So simple. The two of them [his parents] would be in great form.’
The burial took place at St Catherine’s Cemetery in Kilcully after the ceremony.
The family has asked people to make donations to Marymount University Hospice in lieu of flowers.
Marie Keane was predeceased by her late husband Maurice, her brother Pat and her niece and nephew, Estella and Thomas.
She is survived by her five children, her sisters and brothers, grand-children and great grandchildren.
