Career
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.
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 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.
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 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.
When Keane began his international career in 1948 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern Ireland – based IFA and the Republic of Ireland – based FAI claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland and selected players from the whole island.
As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Keane, played for both teams. IFA XI On 17 November 1948, Keane made his international debut with the IFA XI in a 3–2 defeat against Scotland at Hampden Park.
His team mates on the day included several fellow dual internationalists, including another Swan, Jackie O"Driscoll and another former Limerick player, Davy Walsh, who scored both goals for the IFA XI. This, however, was Keane"s one and only appearance for the IFA XI. FAI XI Between 1948 and 1949, Keane also made 4 appearances for the FAI XI. He made his final appearance for the FAI XI on 12 June 1949, in a 4–1 home defeat against Spain.