Rory Keane
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Roderick Keane | ||
| Date of birth | 31 August 1922 | ||
| Place of birth | Limerick, Republic of Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 13 February 2004 (aged 81) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 19xx–1947 | Limerick | ||
| 1947–1955 | Swansea Town | 164 | (0) |
| 1955–19xx | Llanelli | ||
| 19xx–19xx | Haverfordwest County. | ||
| National team‡ | |||
| 1948 | Ireland (IFA) | 1 | (0) |
| 1948–1949 | Ireland (FAI) | 4 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 December 2007. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 29 December 2007 |
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Thomas Roderick "Rory" Keane (born Limerick, Republic of Ireland, 31 August 1922; died Swansea, Wales, 13 February 2004) was an Irish footballer who spent most of his career at Swansea Town. A hard-tackling defender, he is still regarded as one of Swansea's greatest ever players. Keane was also a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams – the IFA XI and the FAI XI. Two broken legs limited his international career to just five caps and he eventually retired after breaking his leg for a third time. Keane then settled in south Wales where he lived until his death in 2004. His grandson, Jamie Harris is also a notable footballer. He began his career with Swansea City and has also played for several clubs in the League of Ireland.
Keane began his career with League of Ireland side Limerick. In June 1947, he signed for Swansea Town and quickly became a firm favourite with Swans fans. Keane was part of a strong Irish contingent playing for the club at the time. Others included Jackie O'Driscoll, Jim Feeney and Sammy McCrory. The team also included Welsh internationals Jack Parry and Roy Paul and was one of the clubs most successful sides of all time. Together they won the Third Division South title in impressive style in 1949. They regularly playing to crowds of up to 30,000 and were promoted as champions after winning 27 games during the season, including 17 successive wins at home and 6 successive away wins. They had a goal difference of 45. Keane also helped Swansea reach two Welsh Cup finals and collected a winners medal after they beat Wrexham 4–1 in the 1950 final. After 164 league games for Swansea, he went on to play for Llanelli in the Southern League and Haverfordwest County in the Welsh League.
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