Louth’s Paddy Keenan hangs up his boots

Paddy Keenan, Louth's best known player of recent years, has announced his retirement from senior inter-county football due to work commitments and injuries.

The 29-year old made his championship debut for Louth in the 2003 Leinster championship win over Wicklow and last June’s defeat by Tyrone in the qualifiers was his final appearance.

A gifted centrefielder, strong, athletic and a good technical footballer he represented Ireland in the 2010 International Rules series against Australia. In the same year he played in the controversial Leinster football final, which saw a transparently invalid goal awarded to Meath in injury-time deprive Louth of a first provincial title in 53 years.

On a more positive note he ended the year as Louth’s first winner of an All Star award.

Among his career awards were the Tommy Murphy Cup and NFL Division Two title in 2006, defeating Leitrim and Donegal respectively in the finals.

In a statement issued through the GPA, he said: “I wish to announce my retirement from county football today. It is a decision that I have considered for some time and is not one which I’ve made lightly.

“Due to work commitments and the need to clear up some long-standing injuries, I feel I would be unable to devote the necessary time to the team and I believe now is the right time to call it a day.

“It was a huge honour for me to represent Louth for the past 12 years and I had the privilege of playing with and against so many great players. While we didn’t have the success we worked so hard for, I have only positive memories of my county career and the people who I soldiered alongside.

“Without the support of support of my girlfriend Karen and my family which has been, at all times, unconditional, I genuinely could not have played at this level and I am so grateful to them.

“I would like to thank my club St. Patrick’s GFC who I was so proud to represent and I hope this decision will allow me to extend my club career for a few extra years. Thanks to the Louth supporters who have always shown great loyalty to me as a player and to our county squad despite experiencing many difficult periods on the field of play.

“I would like to pay tribute to all five Louth managers I played under for placing their faith in me as a footballer. Thanks also to the various management teams, backroom staff and of course the County Board for their support and kindness over the years.

“Finally, I wish the new Louth manager and the team all the best in the future and I look forward to supporting them from the sidelines next year.”