Mayo legend Lee Keegan has ended weeks of speculation about his future by announcing his retirement from inter-county football.

The news is a big blow to new Mayo manager Kevin McStay who last week said he was "very hopeful" that the 2016 Footballer of the Year would give it another season in the green and red.

Keegan retires with five All-Stars, seven Connacht SFC titles and an Allianz League medal, but will go down as one of the greatest players never to win an All-Ireland SFC medal after losing six finals in all. He did, however, win a first Mayo SFC title with Westport last year and will continue to represent them in 2023.

"Lee has represented Mayo with great distinction," Kevin McStay said.

"He was indestructible and defiant: on the biggest days, he walked tall and proud. Lee embodied the resilience of Mayo. The example he set will continue to inspire Mayo for many years to come."

The brilliant defender said the time had come to devote more time to his young family.

"I have enjoyed every minute of my time with Mayo. We had great days and some memorable victories. For me, it was always about wearing that Mayo jersey with pride every single day, and I was honoured to play alongside players who were of the same mind, and under managers who drove high standards on and off the pitch," he commented.

"But all good things must come to an end. The reality is that I have had to rely on a lot of people – most notably my wife Aoife – to give me the time and space to pursue my dream. Now that we have two young children, Lile and Rhea, I am keenly aware that I am no longer able to commit to inter-county football in the way I did over the past eleven years.

"I will continue to make myself available to Westport and look forward to building on last year's historic success in the years ahead.

"I wish Mayo every success in 2023 and beyond. I will be cheering them on from the terraces. That’ll be an unusual experience for me, I’m sure, but such is the way of life."

 

 

Lee Keegan has announced his retirement from Inter County football.
All at Mayo GAA wish Lee the best of luck in his retirement.

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— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) January 9, 2023

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