Inter-county star announces retirement from football

Mayo GAA star Lee Keegan has announced his retirement from inter-county football.

Keegan, who has played for the Mayo senior side for eleven years - making 140 appearances, was named Footballer of the Year in 2016 and was nominated for the award in 2013 and 2021.

The Westport club man won five All-Stars, seven Connacht titles and one Allianz Football League title during his career. The 33-year-old has also played in six All-Ireland football finals for his county.

In a statement on Mayo GAA's website, Keegan said: "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.

"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."

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

"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."