Keegan: Superstar, cultural giant and working class hero
As youngsters back in the 1970s, Kevin Keegan was a superstar to us. To be drawn to him, in awe of him indeed, you didn’t need to be a Liverpool fan. As a Leeds United supporter, I ‘got’ Keegan – and I’m pretty sure it was much the same for Rooskey’s band of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea supporters. He was on another level.
Keegan, who sadly died earlier this week at the age of 75, transcended traditional club rivalries. Maybe it was the same when George Best emerged (before my time). Certainly Keegan had a remarkable likeability factor which was one of the reasons fans of ‘other’ clubs respected him, liked him, maybe even loved him. To use a word we probably didn’t invoke at the time, he ‘connected’ with football fans across the board.
His charm, amiability, good humour – call it what you like – that was one good reason as to why the football world embraced Keegan. But there were other reasons. Clearly he was a very talented player. Also, his style of play – dashing, exciting, courageous – sent pulses racing on the terraces.
He was a scorer of goals, and he wore his heart on his sleeve. People liked that. He became a superstar, and of course much of that had to do with his prowess on
the pitch. But it was arguably his innate ordinariness as a human being that was at the heart of his overall popularity. Keegan had an ‘Everyman’ status that made him a national hero in England. He had a work ethic that the game’s grassroots recognised and loved. He worked his socks off, first to become a professional footballer, then to improve himself, then to reach the top and excel further (he was twice European Footballer of the Year).
He was the ordinary boy who dragged himself into top level football, then to superstardom. Keegan’s determination, work ethic and humility resonated with the football public… with the Liverpool fans (later at Newcastle and elsewhere), but also with fans of all clubs.
The ‘punters’ recognised a working class hero when they saw one. Keegan had an emotional connection with the ordinary man and woman. He showed passion. He cared about where he came from. He cared for his country.
The tributes this week have confirmed what we all felt… that Kevin Keegan was a lovely man, a gentleman of the highest order. He became an exceptional footballer (as his achievements indicate). He was also some sort of spiritual or cultural force who can now be seen to have defined a memorable and more innocent era.
Kevin Keegan was a prince amongst footballers, and a king amongst English football’s real elite – the working man.
Hurling ‘apology’ to BBC viewers!
Apology to any BBC viewers in England who paused their lives at 3.30 pm last Sunday: Last weekend, some people on ‘Irish’ X/Twitter might have given the impression that last Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final – which was being televised live by BBC in mainland Britain – would be an unmissable example of how incomparably brilliant the sport of hurling is.
While we still remain deeply proud of and very enthusiastic about this unique Irish game, on behalf of those overzealous tweeters (and the BBC panellists in Croke Park), we wish to apologise for any misunderstanding which may have occurred. Where said people might have given the impression to our English friends that by tuning into the BBC last Sunday they would be treated to one of the greatest TV experiences you could hope to witness in your life, what they meant to convey was that while hurling is indeed usually exceptional, there is no guarantee of never-ending thrills, skills and warfare from the amateur warriors – and it is possible to have an All-Ireland final that is forgettable, one-sided and relatively dull. Sorry folks, and see you next year!
Local ladies on All-Ireland title drive
Around the county, the Roscommon GAA flags are still gently fluttering in the sunshine. Roscommon ladies football is on a roll. Our teams are playing with style and confidence, their resilience and self-belief admirable too.
Last week, our U-16s stormed to All-Ireland success. Seamus Duke and Bernie O’Farrell were in Kinneged to cover that final for the Roscommon People (see our coverage in this issue).
Congratulations to the U-16 panel of players and management on a superb achievement. Now the focus moves to that fine stadium in Tullamore, where Roscommon will take on the might of Cork in the All-Ireland Minor ‘A’ final this Saturday. We wish Roscommon every success.
Then on Sunday, August 2nd, the Roscommon senior team will play Fermanagh in the LGFA All-Ireland Intermediate Football final. Extraordinary times!
