The passing of 92-year-old Jim McKeever has devastated Derry GAA supporters. Here is all we know about the football player that passed away.
Jim McKeever, originally from Ballymaguigan in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, played professional football. On the pitch, he represented Derry County. In addition, McKeever gained notoriety by leading Derry to a runner-up finish to Dublin in the 1958 All-Ireland Championship.
McKeever continued his involvement with football after leaving from the professional ranks by entering the coaching profession. Three times he led the Derry varsity squad as manager. McKeever also presided over the Derry County Board as its chairman. The football world is devastated by Jim McKeever’s passing.
What Caused Derry GAA Footballer Jim McKeever’s Death?
Jim McKeever, who was 92 years old, passed away. As of the date of this writing, the official reason of his death has not been reported by any reputable news outlets.
John Keenan, the current chairman of Derry GAA, stated after McKeever’s death but did not specify the cause. No cause of death could be determined for the Derry GAA footballer. Meanwhile, there had been no reports of Jim falling unwell or experiencing any other health problems. His loved ones have not yet made any public statements on the matter.
Source: Irish news
Personal Life of Jim McKeever
McKeever was born in the little townland of Ballymaguigan on the western shores of Lough Neagh in 1931[6], into a GAA-interested family. He attended St. Trea’s Primary School, where he was able to hone his football abilities, before enrolling in St. Malachy’s College in Belfast and living there during his junior and senior years. His father took him to see Derry play Leitrim in the 1938 National League playoffs, and a week later, he saw Derry lose to Roscommon in the quarterfinals of the same tournament. His heroes were Newbridge players like Barney Murphy and John McGrogan (the Ballymaguigan squad didn’t exist yet). “They were heroes at that point,” McKeever added. He was also a big fan of Cavan’s own Mick Higgins.
He completed his secondary education at St. Malachy’s before moving to St. Mary’s Training College in Belfast. He graduated from Loughborough University in UK. He eventually settled in Downpatrick, County Down, Ireland, where he taught physical education and other courses. From 1957 until his retirement in 1992, he worked at St. Mary’s College in Belfast as a student and then as a lecturer. He married Teresa in 1958, and the couple has made their home in Magherafelt since his retirement. Ann, Maeve, and Deirdre are their daughters, and Éamonn and Jim are their sons.
Career of Jim McKeever
McKeever’s versatility was displayed during his Derry career, as he played every position except goalkeeper and wing halfback. A half-forward at the start of his inter-county career, he is now more commonly referred to as “one of the finest midfielders of all time” for his time spent playing in the middle for both club and county. Kerry veteran Mick O’Connell called him the best catcher he had played against because of his outstanding fielding skills. His other talents include accurate shooting, free kicks, and bursting runs forward from midfield. McKeever was selected for the Century Team in Irish football, which features players who were never All-Ireland champions. He had a “inspiring role” in making Derry a household name in GAA.
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