Tributes paid to trailblazing Limerick women's soccer coach Frank 'Junior' Keane

WARM tributes are flooding in for trailblazing Limerick women’s soccer coach, Frank (Junior) Keane, who sadly passed away earlier this week. 

The late Frank Keane was hugely influential in getting women's soccer established in Limerick and played a key role in the development of women's football in Ireland.

Frank Keane, of Corbally and formerly St. Mary’s Park, was involved in the game at local, national and international level.

During many distinguished years of service to soccer, he served as Manager of the Irish Ladies International Soccer Team.

Back in the 1960’s, Frank set up the first ladies soccer team at Ballynanty Rovers, which was joined with the men’s team at the time. During this period he also coached schoolboys at Wembley Rovers.

His love for soccer led him to concentrating on the development of ladies soccer in the region and in the early 1970’s local leagues began to form across the country. He played a key role in establishing the Women’s League of Ireland. 

Once this league was established, Frank went about getting a Limerick team up and running. One of the 12 teams that contested the first Women’s League of Ireland in 1973, Frank coached the side to win the first two Women's National League titles in 1973 and 1974, while the sides finished runners-up in 1975.

During 1975, the first ever Women’s FAI Cup took place and the Limerick team at the time one that was under the guidance of  Frank.

While managing these teams, Frank also had the honor of coaching the Republic of Ireland ladies national team for a couple of matches. At the time coaches were not regulated so they swapped regularly. 

One of the members of the original 1973 team, Pauline Maher, spoke fondly of the late Frank Keane and the memories she had of him.

“Frank did absolutely everything, managed the teams, coached us," Pauline Maher said.

"The day before a game he would go up and cut the grass and line the pitch. I remember sitting on his shoulders trying to tie a net into the goal. He was just an incredible man that respected everyone equally.”

In 2023, the 1973 had a year of celebrations to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Limerick winning the inaugural Women's League title

Several members of Frank’s first Limerick league of Ireland team also received their International caps in May, while also being recognised for their efforts in September before the first ever women’s international soccer game was played in the Aviva Stadium.

Last Wednesday, Limerick City and Council Mayor Gerald Mitchell, travelled out to Milford Care Centre to visit Frank, ahead of the commemorative mayoral evening for the 1973 Limerick League of Ireland winning team.

Team member Pauline Maher was also in attendance at Milford Care Centre, where the scroll was presented by Mayor Mitchell to Frank. 

Pauline went on to say: “Frank was surrounded by his wife Mary and children Bernadette and Niall and it was just an incredible moment. To know that his 1973 team being commemorated gave him so much joy.

"Only for the intuition of Frank to set up the Limerick Ladies soccer team in 1973, none of the ladies would have been able to play at an international level, and each one of them have always pointed back to him as the key to their success." 

The FAI also paid tribute to the late Frank Keane this week, stating: “The FAI is saddened to learn of the death of Frank 'Junior' Keane.

"Hugely instrumental in the development of women's football in Ireland, Frank was involved at local, national and international level.

"May he rest in peace.”

Funeral details for the late Frank 'Junior' Keane are as follows. Reposing at Griffin’s Funeral Home, John’s Gate on next Wednesday, 27th December, from 3pm to 4:30pm. Arriving at St. Mary’s Church, Athlunkard Street, on next Thursday, 28th December, for Requiem Mass at 11am. Funeral afterwards to Shannon Crematorium.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.