Republic of Ireland football legend Robbie Keane gave an emotional eulogy as he paid a personal tribute to his late mother Anne at her funeral on Thursday afternoon.
After a battle with lung cancer, Anne Keane passed away in the care of the staff of St. James' Hospital in Dublin.
Family, friends and the many connected to her throughout her life gathered at St. Agnes's Church in Crumlin to celebrate her funeral mass.
READ MORE: Tributes pour in for Robbie Keane's mother following her death
And Ireland's record goalscorer offered up an emotional tribute to his mother as he gave an evocative eulogy towards the end of the service.
"It's a lot easier taking a penalty, I'll tell you that," he began as the congregation responded with laughter.
The former Republic of Ireland international first took the opportunity to express his thanks to Irish folk singer Mary Black and the Dublin Gospel Choir as both had sang throughout the service.
He said: "First of all I'd like to thank Mary Black.
"Mary's been a great support to my family over the years, she sang at my wedding.
"And the Dublin Gospel Choir were fantastic, so thank you very much."
Keane then moved to thank the gathered congregation and began to describe the type of person his late mother Anne was.
He said: "On behalf of myself, Graham, Natasha and Amy, I would like to thank everybody who has gathered here today to pay their respects to our beloved mother Anne.
"We received an overwhelming amount of support.
"My mother was generous, selfless, strong and resilient but what sums her up the most is that she was family orientated. She loved her family. Family was everything to her.
"As a child growing up, we knew with no ucnertainty how much we were loved and although we worked for everything we got, my mother was always determined for us to have the best life possible.
"She held two jobs, worked so hard and eveyrthing that she did was for her children."
With the funeral mass coming from St. Agnes's Church in Crumlin Village, Keane outlined the rich history his mother shared with the church.
He said: "My mother was born not far from here.
"She had her christening, Communion and Confirmation and got married to my late father Robbie in this very church.
"As you can imagine, it means so much to her family to bring her back [here] for her final journey; home."
Keane then recalled his early years as a promising young footballer courting the interests of a host of English clubs - and he explained how his mother was a huge help in the decision-making process.
"I was 15 years old when a scout contacted my family and asked me to go to England to play football.
"There were a few teams interested, but my mum assured me that I should follow my heart and go to where I felt at home.
"Although Liverpool came calling, I took my mum's advice and went to Wolves. She always knew best."
And the former Spurs and Liverpool striker said he was sent off with a bulging suitcase as he set off to carve out a career in football - one of many generous gestures he looked to repay when he signed his first professional contract.
He said: "She worked so hard to make sure that my suitcase was full of new clothes for my new adventure at Wolves.
"I repaid her with my first contract when I was only 16.
"My only request was written in pencil: that my parents could visit me four times a year and that I could get my mam central heating."
The sacrifices made by Keane's parents ultimately paid dividends on the grandest stage of them all when the then-22-year-old striker lined out for Ireland at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan.
So proud were his parents of that achievement that they invited a camera crew into their home back in Dublin - something the young Robbie out in Japan could scarcely believe to be true!
He said: "I remember at the World Cup in Japan, seeing my parents flash up on the TV screen.
"They were being interviewed at home with a camera crew filming as they watched the entire game.
"I picked up the phone and said: "What were you thinking? Letting the camera crew into the house!"
"I was surprised at the time; but they were proud as punch and wanted the world to know it.
"Now I treasure those video clips and I'm delighted I have them to look back on."
Keane also paid tribute to his late father, Robbie Keane Sr, who passed away in 2003.
He said: "He would be so proud along with my mum of his children and grandchildren and I know he watches over us and guides us through life.
"My mum remained completely devoted to my father Robbie over the past 20 years. She celebrated each of his birthdays and the anniversary every year.
"It gives us great peace of mind to know that they are reunited again in heaven."
Keane then went on to speak about his mother's character and her presence at the heart of all family exchanges. He also credited her as a woman full of fighting spirit in the face of her battle with lung cancer.
He said: "Mum was the rock that held everyone together.
"She was truly loved by all.
"She had an infectious sense of humour and consistently put smiles on our faces.
"We always wondered where we got our resilience from; after seeing her determination and fight despite every hard battle she had with lung cancer, we all knew it was from her. She was brave, she was a warrior."
And even as her final days approached, Anne made sure to pass on some crucial advice to her grandchildren.
"The Wednesday before she passed, she had the courage to speak to her grandchildren and reassure them that she loved them.
"Go for the jobs they wanted, follow their dreams - and take care of each other.
"There's one thing for certain, her grandchildren knew how special they were and how much they were loved."
Keane also noted that he and his own siblings managed to spend some precious time together as they gathered around their mother in her final days in the hospital.
He said: "Myself, Graham, Natasha and Amy got to spend the last few nights in hospital with mum.
"We hadn't all bonded like that over the years.
"We laughed, we cried, we held and comforted each other.
"Mum had a glint in her eye and a smile on her face. You could tell she really enjoyed every moment with us.
"Words cannot express how lucky we were to have a mum like you. Thank you for all the love, laughter, encouragement and support - and most of all, the memories which we will cherish forever.
"We are heartbroken to say goodbye but we know that Dad's waiting for you with open arms and you will both continue to guide us from above.
"Rest in Peace mam. We love and miss you always."
Keane then introduced and recited a poem for his mother read on behalf of himself and her three other children Graham, Natasha and Amy. Afterwards, he signed off a heartwarming eulogy by leaving his mother with one final message.
He said: "Have good fun up there with your husband. Thank you."
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