Roy Keane delivers heartbreaking message at mum's funeral as family's 'heart ripped out of chest'

Ed Griffiths
Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:04:10 +0000

Roy Keane delivered a deeply moving tribute to his mother Marie at her funeral mass in Cork this morning, telling mourners her death felt like "the heart being ripped out of the chest" of their entire family.

The 54-year-old former Manchester United captain paused several times to compose himself during the eulogy at the Church of the Resurrection in Farranree.

Keane described his mother, who passed away peacefully at Marymount Hospice on Friday aged 79, as "cool, kind and caring".

He said: "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."

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The football legend acknowledged he was defying his mother's wishes by speaking at length about her.

He admitted: "I know our mam wouldn't want us to make a fuss today."

Marie Keane married her husband Maurice, known as Mossie, at the very same church back in 1962, with the service featuring a framed photograph of their wedding day standing beside her coffin.

Keane shared fond recollections of his upbringing, noting while his mother "didn't always get us what we wanted, she always got us what we needed".

He recalled: "She was pretty strict with us. She had an amazing skill of throwing a shoe and, no matter where you were in the house, she would always hit her target."

The congregation laughed as Keane recounted how Marie once chased down youngsters who had stolen wood from a bonfire his siblings were building, returning triumphantly with the tree in tow.

Keane spoke warmly of his mother's character, highlighting her humour that remained intact until her final days.

He told the congregation: "Not only was she kind and caring, but she had a good sense of humour, right up until the end."

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The former Ireland captain reflected on cherished family holidays to Garretstown beach, where evenings would end with a simple bag of chips.

He said: "We thought life was great just so simple."

Despite the profound grief, Keane expressed solace in knowing his parents were now reunited. Maurice had died in August 2019 and the years since had been difficult for Marie.

Keane said: "I never once heard her complain – not once. Ultimately, our mam and dad were at their happiest when they were together. And they are together."

Hundreds gathered to pay their respects, with mourners including former Ireland and Arsenal defender David O'Leary and ex-Cork District Court judge Olann Kelleher, who previously served as Keane's solicitor.

Tributes flooded in from across the football world, with Sir David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Jamie Carragher, Robbie Keane, Shay Given, Ian Wright and Micah Richards among those offering condolences.

Westlife's Nicky Byrne shared a message recalling how Marie had approached him outside an Irish bar in Portugal, introducing herself as "Roy Keane's mammy".

Keane's deep bond with his parents was evident last year when he became visibly emotional on the Stick to Football podcast while showing photographs of Marie and Mossie watching him play at the old Wembley Stadium.