London-based lawyer Michael Kennedy, who represented top Irish footballers such as Roy Keane and Niall Quinn, has passed away.
He was a trusted advisor to Keane, both in his playing and managerial career, and represented him during his career at Manchester United and at the time of the infamous Saipan row with Mick McCarthy.
Eamon Dunphy previously described Kennedy as a 'lawyer, solicitor, friend, mentor' to Keane and the man he had agreed a deal with to write the Cork man's book.
Kennedy, who was in his 70s and a partner at a London firm, also represented the now FAI Interim Deputy CEO Niall Quinn as well as David O'Leary, Denis Irwin, Frank Stapleton, Pat Jennings, Steve Staunton, Kevin Moran and many more.
Described as "a very kind and funny man", he first began working with Irish players when O'Leary needed a solicitor to buy a house and was introduced to Kennedy by an Irish accountant named Tony Beatty.
“When I bought my first house, I needed a solicitor, as everyone does when they get a place,'' O'Leary told The Sunday Tribune a number of years ago.
“I went along to Michael and he helped me. Then, when I signed a contract with Arsenal, I asked him to have a look at it for me. At this stage, I've been with him for 24 years.’'
Kennedy was born in North London to Irish parents, both from Co Kerry. His father was from Inch and his mother was from Cloghane on the Dingle Pennisula.
It is understood he didn't charge players fees for representing them and would instead accept tickets for matches occasionally.
Keane once revealed how money didn't matter to Kennedy at all.
He said: "With Michael I was totally secure, knowing that his sole concern was what was best for my football.
"Money mattered to me, but was not the number-one priority. For Michael, money didn’t count at all. He was a football fan."
