A funeral mass has been held in County Cork for the mother of former Irish footballer Roy Keane.
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, who is also a well-known football pundit, 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 and said it felt ‘like his heart has been ripped out’.
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.
‘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.
‘But 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 1962.
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
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.
