Ex-Meath player who died in crash may have ‘fallen asleep at the wheel’

RIP.

He was married to Charlene Kealy, was a father to three children, and played football for Meath and his club Dunshaughlin.

He played a significant role in his club's 'Golden era', during which they won an intermediate county title, three-successive senior titles, and a Leinster title.

The club's win in the 2000 senior final featured six Kealy brothers in the panel, with five starting.

Denis played minor and U21s for Meath and was a member of the senior panel.

According to the Irish Independent, an inquest into his death determined that there was no way to know exactly what had happened during the accident, but that Mr Kealy may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

His wife said: “I’ve three little boys at home who are devastated by the loss of Denis. They adored him and Denis adored them.

“We’re broken. We really are.”

RIP.ie notes: "Denis Kealy, 'Ardveein House', Rathbeggan, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath and late of Ballinlough, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath. Following an accident.

"Predeceased by his sister Maria. Beloved husband of Charlene, loving Dad to his boys Ciarán, Daniel and Evan, much loved son of Ead and Patsy and brother of Kevin, Orla, Pat, Dermot, Brendan, Aidan, Richard and Fiona.

"Denis will be sadly missed by his family, his mother-in-law, Barbara, father-in-law, Syl, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, relatives and a wide circle of friends."