Meath star joins two Royal county legends to have won county final man-of-the-match twice

Now there's a big game player.

Simonstown Gaels won their first ever Meath senior football title in 2016, with six points from Padraig McKeever central to their triumph. Last Sunday, they became back-to-back Royal county champions with their clinical corner forward, McKeever, again the key man. The Gaels, managed by Meath legend Colm O'Rourke, defeated Summerhill in this year's decider, with 1-6 from the boot of former Meath player McKeever proving the difference between the sides. Indeed, as well as captaining his side to the second county Championship in their history, the powerful attacker also earned himself the man-of-the-match award on both occasions, becoming the first ever Meath player to win that accolade for two years on the trot. https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba3_2cWDCOV/?taken-by=official_meath_gaa He joins the illustrious pair of Meath legends Mick Lyons and Finian Murtagh as the only players to collect the award twice. Speaking to LMFM Radio after the game, SportsJOE's Cian Ward, who's club Wolfe Tones were defeated by Simonstown in the semi-final, emphasised just how pivotal McKeever was in his side's victory.

"Padraig McKeever probably had his fingerprint on 2-6 of Simonstown's total, between frees, points he got himself or scores he's set up. He was the main man up front, as he has been for a number of years for Simonstown," said Ward.

This raises the inevitable question, why is one of the best players in Meath club football not playing with the county team? He has represented them in O'Byrne Cup games in the past, and some others, but a combination of injuries, and dedication to his club has stunted his progress there, according to Ward.

"I know he was involved in the panel a number of years, but he picked some injuries, and didn't get a huge amount of game time. Particularly, when he's captain of his club, and they're going so well, I mean, if you look at the scenes out there, and the sheer elation he's getting from something like that," said Ward.

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"He's probably looking at the levels of commitment required to play the county game, and when he did do it, he didn't get the rewards that his talents deserve...There's no doubt about it, he's good enough," added the former Royal County free-taker.

McKeever's response to his individual tally was typically modest, when he spoke after the game on the same podcast.

"Personally, it's a great feeling, but the lads do all the hard work and just slip the ball to me at the end of the move," he said modestly," he said.

The club will now progress to take on Wexford champions Starlights in the Leinster club competition, and if they have their feet firmly on the ground like captain McKeever, they'll have every chance.