Eddie Keher - Post-playing Career

Post-playing Career

In retirement from playing Keher continued working as a bank official, however, he also became involved in coaching. In 1979 he teamed up with Pat Henderson to take charge of the Kilkenny senior hurling team. It was a successful year for the duo as Kilkenny qualified for the provincial decider with Wexford providing the opposition. The game developed into a close affair; however, victory went to ‘the Cats’ by 2-21 to 2-17. This victory allowed Kilkenny to advance directly to the All-Ireland final. Galway provided the opposition on that occasion, however, the game turned out to be one of the least exciting finals of the decade. A goal by Noel Lane after forty-seven minutes gave Galway a two-point lead; however, Galway failed to score for the rest of the game. Kilkenny, on the other hand, scored two long-range goals to secure a 2-12 to 1-8 victory. This victory gave Keher and Henderson All-Ireland victories as both players and as coaches. In 1987 Keher took charge of the Kilkenny team on his own for one season. It was an unsuccessful period as Kilkenny exited the provincial championship at an early stage.

After his playing days had ended Keher also came to be regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time. His huge scoring records, coupled with his deadly accuracy meant that he was an automatic choice for a special Hurling Team of the Century, picked in 1984 to mark the centenary year of the Gaelic Athletic Association. In 2000 he was picked on the GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium, thus cementing his reputation as one of the greatest players of all-time.