Keane eager to add to medal haul

November 20, 2010
Former Galway All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Alan Keane is aiming to win his first AIB Connacht club football title tomorrow.

Keane, who kept goal when Galway last lifted the Sam Maguire in 2001, recently won his fourth county championship medal with Killererin and now has his sights set on claiming a provincial medal at St. Brigid's expense after 18 years playing for the club.

"I was 16 when I first played senior in goal for the club and 18 years later, I'm still at it and still enjoying it," he told The Irish Examiner.

"2010 has been going really well for us. Our success is down to hard work and everyone giving 100 per cent to the cause. We want to win a Connacht club title and since our win in the county final that has been the only thing on our mind.

"It is not rocket science and Tommie (Joyce) has been doing a great job all year as manager. It is hard going, but he has always done whatever is needed for us to be professionally prepared and in good shape for the big games."

Keane is optimistic that the Galway champions can avenge their heavy defeat to the Kiltoom men at the semi-final stage three years ago.

"Some of our younger players, like Tomás (Fahy), Colin (Forde), Michéal (Boyle) and Daniel (Mannion) have grown from young boys into men in the past year or two and they are key players on the team now. Guys like those lads along with Declan Kelly (captain) have been leading the way this year and we expect more of the same this weekend."

He added: "St. Brigid's are a good team and guys like Karol Mannion, Frankie Dolan and Senan Kilbride are terrific players. But the game is on our home patch and we have to make the most of that. We are at full strength with Padraic (Joyce) back from honeymoon. We won't be making any excuses if we lose."

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