Dedicated GAA coach Keith was a lovable caring person

KEITH Cusack has been remembered as a skilled and dedicated coach in Thomas Davis GAA Club after passing away this month at age 44.

The father-of-two’s involvement in the club came about ten years after his daughter, Jessica, began playing gaelic football for Thomas Davis.

He was a team mentor who began his tenure for the Under-8s team that his daughter played for, and most recently he was a coach with the women’s minor B team.

A member of Thomas Davis, who asked to remain unnamed, told The Echo: “Keith was so funny and so witty, and he’s left a huge hole in the team – they’re all devastated.

“He won a league title with the Under-16s last year and it was one of his proudest achievements.

“He had a huge impact in retaining girls in sport, if someone didn’t show up he’d always give them a call, and he was so personable. The girls loved him.

“He was a big role model for the girls, they all looked up to him and he kept them involved in playing sport.

“He was absolutely adored and it’s heartbreaking. It’s hit the whole club hard, but he will be remembered.”

In a post on Facebook, Thomas Davis GAA Club shared the impact Keith had on the club and how deeply his loss has been felt by club members.

“Keith personified a great club man, he joined Thomas Davis in 2015 with little GAA experience but over the last 10 years he really embraced the Thomas Davis and GAA culture,” they wrote.

“[He] became one of the leading coaches in our LGFA section, always on hand to encourage our next generation of ladies footballers.

“Keith’s daughter Jess plays with the minor ladies’ footballers who Keith has coached all the way since U8s and his youngest daughter Sophia plays with the U12’s.

“Keith was such a well loved and respected coach, with one of his club highlights leading his team to a great league title with the U16B team in 2023.

“Anyone who knew Keith would have known his funny sense of humour and wit as he was such a lovable caring person.

“Keith will be sadly missed by all his friends in Thomas Davis especially all the minor girls and coaches who he spent so much time with.

“As always our club members will support the Cusack family over the coming days and all of Keith’s team which he treasured so dearly.”

Keith’s enduring passion for sport extended beyond the GAA pitch, as he also ran, trained in the gym in West Park Fitness, and was a committed Liverpool supporter.

“When Liverpool won on Sunday, we said that had to have been Keith,” added the club member.

Keith Cusack of Seskin View Road and Glenview Park, Tallaght, passed away on Sunday, February 18.

Keith, loving husband of Suzanne, adored dad to Jessica and Sophia and dear son of Aileen and the late David.

Sadly missed by his heartbroken family, brother Stuart, mother-in-law Breda, father-in-law Paddy, brother-in-law Alan, sister-in-law Margaret, niece Lily, nephew Elliott, godchild Grace, relatives, colleagues and large circle of close friends.

Keith’s funeral Mass was held in St Mary’s Priory in Tallaght village on February 23, and afterwards to Newlands Cross Crematorium.