The mother of Manchester United and Ireland legend Roy Keane has died at the age of 79.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane is mourning the loss of his mother who has died at the age of 79. Details posted to Irish memorial website rip.ie, state Marie Keane passed “peacefully, surrounded by her loving family”.
Confirming the death, the notice posted to the website says that Marie Keane (née Lynch), of Carhoo, Rathpeacon in Cork, died peacefully on March 27, 2026, in the “tender loving care” of the doctors, nurses and staff of St Anne’s Ward at Marymount University Hospital and Hospice.
It continued: “Marie, dearly loved wife of the late Maurice (Mossie) and beloved mother of Denis, Johnson, Hilary, Roy and Pat. Predeceased by her brother Pat, her niece Estella and her nephew Thomas. Sadly missed by her loving family, sisters Ina, Annette and Josephine, brothers Jack, Leo, Michael and Noel, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, daughters-in-law Linda, Theresa and Mary, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, her great neighbours and friends.”
Visitation will be at O’Connor Bros Funeral Home on Monday (March 30) from 6pm to 7pm, with prayers at 6.45pm. A Requiem Mass will be held on Tuesday (March 31) at 11am in the Church of the Resurrection in Farranree with the funeral afterwards at St Catherine’s Cemetery in Kilcully.
The family has also asked for donations in lieu of flowers to go to Marymount University Hospice in Memory of Marie Keane (née Lynch).
Four years ago, Roy Keane described his mother Marie as “the only boss I listen to”placeholder image
Four years ago, Roy Keane described his mother Marie as “the only boss I listen to” | Roy Keane / Instagram
Former Ireland midfielder Roy once described his mother as “the only boss I listen to” and last year choked up on the podcast Stick to Football talking about memories of his family coming to watch him play. The football pundit was passing around old photos of when his parents came to see him play at the old Wembley Stadium, when he was overcome with emotion.
Ian Wright, Jill Scott and Gary Neville had to take over the conversation after Roy said: “You’re on about photos, look at that there. You’re on about family, the ups and downs of football. But when you see your family at Wembley after you’ve won a big game…”
Marie was married to Roy’s father Maurice for 57 years before his death in 2019. Nephew Paul said his uncle was smitten with Marie from his “first glance” after meeting at friend Pat Lynch’s home.
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They attended all of Roy’s major sporting triumphs and were also there to see him receive an honorary degree from UCC as well as the Freedom of Cork City from the local authority.
Tributes have poured in including one signed off ‘Liverpool Football Club’ which said: “To Roy & family & friends. May Marie Rest in eternal peace. Y.N.W.A”
Another tribute from family friend Mary Walsh, described Marie as a “lovely lady”. It read: “My heartfelt sympathies to the Keane and lynch families on the sad passing of Marie. What a lovely lady to chat with loved her family dearly but had great pride for Roy and his achievements at United happy days Marie.May Marie's gentle Soul Rest in Peace with the Angels and God in heaven.”
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