Lee Keegan has announces his retirement from intercounty football after an 11-year career in the Mayo jersey.
Keegan made 73 league appearances, scoring 1-23 since making his league debut against Galway on 27 February 2011. Keegan made 67 championship appearances, scoring 7-48, having made his championship debut against Cork on 31 July, 2011.
“I have enjoyed every minute of my time with Mayo” declared Keegan. “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”.
“But all good things must come to an end” added Keegan. “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 11 years” added Keegan.
“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.”
Keegan’s total of 140 appearances places him fifth on the all-time Mayo list behind Andy Moran, Keith Higgins, Aidan O’Shea and Kevin McLoughlin. Kegan scored 8-71 throughout his time representing Mayo.
His final game for Mayo was on 26 June, 2022, in Croke Park against Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
Lee Keegan has announced his retirement from Inter County football.
All at Mayo GAA wish Lee the best of luck in his retirement.Read More Below 🔽🔽https://t.co/i33LJQ1dR2#mayogaa pic.twitter.com/X1twCQX5ZT
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) January 9, 2023
“Lee has represented Mayo with great distinction” said Mayo manager Kevin McStay. “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.”
Keegan played U21 with Mayo in 2009 and 2010. He never played minor championship for the county. He achieved the following in the Mayo jersey:
- One Connacht U21, 2009;
- Seven Connacht senior titles, 2011-2015, 2020 and 2021;
- One National League, 2019;
- Six All-Ireland championship runners-up, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021.
Keegan also made 19 FBD League appearances. The Westport native was a five-time All Star winner; 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 at right-half back and 2021 at full back, a record for a Connacht footballer.
Keegan earned nine All Star nominations (2012-2017 and 2020-2022), a joint record for a Connacht footballer that he shares with Galway’s Padraic Joyce. Lee was named as the 2016 Footballer of the Year and was also nominated for this award in 2013 and 2021.
He made four appearances for Ireland in the International Rules Series versus Australia in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and was chosen as vice-captain in 2015.
