“He was a giant in every way, he was a giant physically and a giant mentally – he was as clever as a whip, and I’d say nobody had a bigger heart. He was as kind a guy as you’d ever meet.
I don’t think I’ve ever, ever seen the guy in bad form. I’ve never seen him greet anybody other than with a laugh or a smile. He’d be respected not just by his peers but internationally as well. Everyone who got to know him loved him. It was the nature he had, his whole being, that’s why he would have touched lots and lots of people.
“He had a special bond with the crowd, because when Moss used to go on one of his runs with the ball the whole crowd would erupt. I remember saying at (team) meetings, whenever Moss goes on a run he was liable to go anywhere but just get after him because the crowd would really get behind you. He was a super giant in lots of ways.”
– Ciarán Fitzgerald, the Irish captain on the Triple Crown and championship-winning team of 1982.
“His popularity transcended sport, but he was basically a very modest man and he was also extremely popular everywhere. He was a true amateur, insofar as he was concerned the game was to be enjoyed and he had a remarkable career, yet he was always understated about his own ability. He was a very good player, he was a rock of strength and he was the heart of the Irish pack for many years.”
– Mick Quinn, former Lansdowne and Ireland team-mate.
“He was just loved by everybody. They’re coming from far and wide. John O’Driscoll is coming from England for the funeral, Jean-Pierre Rives is coming from France. That’s the effect he had on people. Moss gave it 100 per cent the whole time. He gave it to the club, he gave it to Munster, he gave it to Ireland and when he finished playing he coached. He gave it back. A wonderful character and a great mathematician as well. His mind was bright until the end. He could take it that Leinster beat Munster last Saturday. A lovely, lovely man.”
– Donal Spring, fellow Kerry man and former Lansdowne, Munster and Ireland team-mate.
“Moss enriched everyone’s life that he came into contact with these past 62 years. Rugby people don’t just have the Moss Keane story, they have Moss Keane stories. There are many and they are all humorous. He just had a way about him – he was a one-off. Certainly, he was one of the most loved Irish internationals. Never dropped in 11 seasons, Moss used to say that he saw off a lot of secondrow partners. Even if he had a bad game it was always his partner that got dropped but the longevity of his career was a tribute to his durability. He was a much better trainer than he would take credit for. A light has gone out in Irish sporting life today.”
– Ollie Campbell, former Ireland team-mate.
“Quite simply Irish rugby has lost one of its most genuine characters and legends of the game. Moss had ability on the field that no one could doubt from his record at club, provincial and international level. UCC, Lansdowne, Munster, Ireland and the British Irish Lions all benefited from his presence and ensured that his reputation will live long in the memories of not only Irish rugby, but world rugby. My own memories of Moss were his great belief in the ethos of the game which was evident in how he related to players from all levels in our club, Lansdowne. It did not matter whether you were an Ireland international or playing for the third Bs, he always had time for everybody in the club and he will be sorely missed.”
– IRFU president Caleb Powell
“Not only a fantastic guy in rugby, but a fantastic guy as a person. Always had time for everybody, so he’ll be very sadly missed. He was great fun to be with and it was always worth being with him. A very sharp intellect too, sometimes well hidden, but it always kind of snuck out in the end, and he would be very quick to put someone in their place if they were getting above their station. So you always had to be careful in his company that you didn’t think that you were better than you were. He also took his rugby seriously and he trained very hard. He popularised the game and I think Irish rugby owes him a huge debt.”
– Des Fitzgerald, a former Lansdowne and Irish team-mate.
