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Dundalk ace Kehoe dies

Obituaries

Former Dundalk FC star Barry Kehoe, who survived cancer to win the double, has died.

Favourite year
Kehoe was one of Dundalk's greatest servants, spending ten years with the Lilywhites culminating in the league and cup triumphs of 1987/88. And although the following campaign would be his last at Oriel Park, his reputation was such that his testimonial match against the Republic of Ireland drew one of the biggest crowds in the club's history.

Precocious talent
Born in Dundalk, Kehoe emerged in the 1981/82 season as one of his country's most precocious talents. His displays in the 2-1 aggregate defeat by English side Tottenham Hotspur FC in the UEFA Cup underlined this, and soon he was on his way to Manchester United FC for a trial. No offer came through from Old Trafford, although a more substantial blow came when he was diagnosed with cancer at the start of 1982/83.

Midfield inspiration
By 1986, however, Kehoe was back to his best and spearheading Dundalk's assault on the league championship. They finished runners-up to Shamrock Rovers FC, but took revenge by beating Rovers in the League Cup final. The next term everything fell into place. With Kehoe providing the midfield inspiration, Dundalk pipped Saint Patrick's Athletic FC to the National League title on the last day of term. Then Derry City FC were beaten 1-0 in the FAI Cup final.

Cobh climax
Remarkably, less than 12 months later he would be playing his last game for the club, against Cobh Ramblers FC. Drogheda United FC was the next port of call for this former Irish youth international - and he would return to haunt his old club with United in an FAI Cup tie in 1996.

'A tremendous person'
However, it is as a Dundalk player that he will be best remembered. On hearing of Kehoe's untimely death, former team-mate Alan O'Neill said: "The news is so hard to take. Barry was a winner, he had tremendous ability and talent. He was a tremendous sportsman, a tremendous person, and he will be a tremendous loss."

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