Vincent Keane's trailblazing success in Visually Impaired Tennis
Guests and officials at last week's Cathaoirleach Reception for Vincent Keane
Last week, an inspirational athlete living in Portlaw was celebrated for his incredible contributions to visually impaired tennis.
Since developing glaucoma at just 24, Waterford’s Vincent (Vinny) Keane has had to live with significant vision deterioration.
Amidst this, tennis has become his outlet, and in just a few years he has become the number one ranked player in the UK and Ireland in the B2 category, for players with partial sight.
His record in the sport speaks for itself. He has amassed three national titles, two UK national titles, bronze at the 2025 European Championships in Poland, and the prestigious Currie Cup in two consecutive years – awarded to the player who wins the most tournaments across the UK circuit.
It didn’t come easy however, as before Vinny found such success on the court, he had to come to terms with the impacts of his life-changing diagnosis.
Vinny played racket sports before his vision started to deteriorate. However, after his diagnosis he stopped all sports and went through a very difficult period.
“At first, I thought there was a scratch or something on my glasses that was impacting my vision” Vinny said to the Waterford News & Star.
“I got some tests done on my eyes and it was confirmed that I had glaucoma. It’s obviously not nice to hear you could go totally blind before the end of your life. I kept saying to myself I’m not totally blind and I don’t need help yet, but I was just fooling myself. It took a very long time to just accept what was happening.
“When I accepted that I was going blind life got easier, and when I found blind sports my life changed for the better. Now it brings great joy into my life.”
Vinny attends Tramore Tennis Club and the Butler Community Centre to practice.
Compared to sighted tennis, visually impaired tennis is played on a smaller court and with a larger ball containing bearings in the centre that make a noise when bounced or struck.
Vinny recommends that anyone with a disability should consider taking up a sport.
“I would say give it a go. You might think you can’t do it but there’s many sports out there now that are adapted to people’s disabilities, it’s just a matter of finding the sport that suits you.”
In honour of his achievements, Vinny was afforded a prestigious Cathaoirleach Reception last week.
Joined by his wife Lisa, family and friends at the Civic Offices in Dungarvan, the reception was hosted Comeragh councillors John O’Leary, Seanie Power, Liam Brazil, Declan Clune and Catherine Burke. Also in attendance was Dungarvan/Lismore based councillor Damien Geoghegan, as was Pádraig Healy (Vision Sports Ireland) and Liz Clifford (Tennis Ireland).
In his opening remarks, Cathaoirleach of the Comeragh Municipal District, Cllr John O’Leary, described Vinny’s story as one of “courage determination and extraordinary perseverance.”
“Diagnosed with glaucoma at the tender age of 24 years, Vincent faced challenges that would have stopped many people in their tracks. His vision deteriorated significantly, yet he refused to let it define his future.
“Vincent's achievements on the court are truly outstanding, but perhaps even more important is his determination, positivity and example to inspire others to believe challenges can be overcome and goals achieved."
Cllr Damien Geoghegan emotionally delivered words of praise to Vinny, describing him as “a fantastic role model” who now stands side by side with previous sporting champions who have received receptions from the Council.
A special thanks from Vinny went to everyone who travelled from far and wide to attend the event, including wife Lisa, family, friends, Monica and Kieran from Tramore Tennis Club, Anne and staff at Butler Community Centre, Pádraig Healy and Liz Clifford.
(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)
