Tributes have been pouring in for referee Keith Kennedy, who passed away suddenly yesterday.
The Irish FA’s refereeing department said the refereeing community is still coming to terms with the devastating loss of one of the leading figures in the senior panel.
It said the messages of support and condolence for Keith’s family from Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood and NIFL chief executive Gerard Lawlor and the overwhelming response from so many clubs show the high regard in which he was held, both as a person and a referee.
Mike Riley, Head of Refereeing at the Irish FA, said: “Keith was undoubtedly one of the good guys. He was a great referee whose contribution to the senior panel over the years was immense.
“Keith was always willing to give up his time to support his colleagues and so many have benefited from his wisdom, warmth and generosity. In all of our future matches the refereeing team will take their memories of Keith onto the field with them, remembering a colleague, friend and leader within the refereeing and football family.”
David Malcolm from the Irish FA Referees Committee said: “Keith brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to his refereeing.
“When I asked him to step up and referee the 2017 Irish Cup Final he couldn’t wait to share the news with his family who had been so supportive of him in his early refereeing career. To that family today the Irish FA Referees Committee and I send my deepest condolences on the loss of a friend and colleague, but also a son, brother, husband and father.”
Former Irish FA/FIFA referee Raymond Crangle said: “Keith was a trusted friend to all in refereeing, and despite our obvious age gap and backgrounds him and I personally forged a strong friendship that extended far beyond the fields of play on which we operated.”
Andrew Davey, Senior Refereeing Manager at the Irish FA, explained: “Keith was an invaluable colleague and friend over my years in refereeing.
“He was always willing to offer help and support to all his colleagues. Since moving into my current role, he was supportive and encouraging. Keith’s enthusiasm for refereeing held no boundaries and he will be sorely missed by all involved in the local game.”
News of the top match official’s sudden death has shocked the Northern Ireland football family. The cause of the 33-year-old Lisburn man’s death is not yet known.
