“You see what it means for everyone around here.”
An emotional Lee Keegan gives a brilliant interview after Westport beat Ballina to win their first ever senior Mayo championship.
The 2016 Player of the Year had already won an Intermediate title with the club, but to finally get over the line yesterday against a side that had talent such as his county teammate Padraig O’Hora, meant everything to him.
The centre half back played a key role in his team’s 1-9 to 1-6 victory at McHale Park, and it will go down as a day the Mayo legend will never forget.
“I suppose it will be in the next couple of hours that I have probably realised the achievement we have done as a club,” Keegan told RTÉ Radio 1 Sunday Sport after the game.
“Listen, it’s huge, the excitement will be massive. We went in as huge underdogs today and we performed as the top dogs then. To be honest, we probably could have won the game by a bit more, but today is the proudest day for the club.
“You see what it means for everyone around here. I think we’ve firmly put Westport on the map for senior teams in the future.
“Intermediate was brilliant, but today is the pinnacle for the club. Someone text me during the week, he’s won club All-Irelands and that. He goes, ‘When you win a senior county title, it is the pinnacle of your career, your club career.’ It does feel like that.
“This is one of the best days of my sporting career. To share the pitch with the likes of Kevin Keane, Brian McDermott and the older guys; it’s very hard to sum up the emotion I’m going through at the moment. It means so much.”
When asked about his future with the county panel, especially as Kevin McStay has been appointed as the new manager, Keegan kept his cards close to his chest.
“I haven’t even looked at it to be honest, I’m enjoying football, I’m enjoying my family time. I’m enjoying playing football with these guys here, week in ,week out.
“We’ll sit down when the club season is over, we have another game in a couple of weeks’ time. I’m old enough now where I’ll make the right decision not just for myself, but for my family. Listen, I need to get all my ducks in a row before I make that decision.
“Today’s not to talk about inter-county football, today it’s about Westport, senior champions 2022.”
Related links:
- The one moment that shows why David Clifford is the best player around
- Canavan brothers finish first and second in scoring charts as Errigal Ciaran win Tyrone championship
- Eight years after first job interview, Kevin McStay gets dream Mayo job
