Mayo defender Eoghan McLaughlin described team mate Lee Keegan as “a role model” after speaking on his retirement this week.

Keegan officially brought the curtain down on his inter-county career on Monday and will go down as one of Mayo’s all-time greats as well as one of the best defenders of the modern era.

Speaking to RTE Sport on his fellow Westport man’s impact, McLaughlin said Keegan was an inspiration to him growing up and described him as “a great teammate”.  

"Leeroy is a role model to me and obviously a few of my younger team-mates and a lot of young people around Ireland. It was difficult to see him hang up the green and red jersey. Thank God, I get to go back and play with him in the club, so I'm lucky in that sense.

"We’ve a lot of the same characteristics and strengths on the pitch. Growing up, watching Mayo football, and because Leeroy was from Westport, he inspired me a lot and was a role model for me. A bit of my game is definitely tailored to his.

"He’s a great teammate. He’d always be giving you little tips and tricks in training and pulling you aside and giving you advice. He’d be very encouraging and you’d feel very empowered by him if that makes sense.

"I’ve played with him and with Mayo now for the last three years and he just came to training every night willing to work. Just talking to more of my older teammates, he hasn’t changed since the day he walked into the dressing room. He just has a desire to win at all costs. He trains really hard. He trains like he plays."

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