Senan's hoping to restore Keane edge for clash with Nemo
The former Clare senior has been receiving intensive treatment for a calf injury but desperately wants to play in this final.
"It's all about being involved with your club. To play in a Munster final with lads you grew up with is what it's all about," says Keane.
"The injury is proving very stubborn, but I'm hopeful everything will come right because I don't want to miss what could turn out to be the greatest day in the club's history. The fact that the two clubs have never met before in the championship only adds to the occasion.
"I know we are up against a club with incredible tradition, but we have also been building up our own tradition. Most of the team played in the 2003 final against An Ghaeltacht and two players, David de Loughrey and John Enright were members of the team which lost the 1989 final to Castlehaven.
"It's their fourth final on Sunday. A number of our players have figured on various Clare teams over the years, so we have more than our share of experience around the field.
"One of our greatest strengths is our battling qualities. We've been through some very tight situations throughout this year's championship both in Clare and Munster, and the credit for that must go to our selectors, Tom Prenderville, Joe Larkin and Noel Roche, who have managed to instil great discipline and team spirit into the players.
"We are fortunate in that most of the players work and live away from Kilkee and therefore are not caught up in the excitement that currently prevails in the town. It's important that we can concentrate solely on the job in hand and avoid talking about the game with supporters.
"Mindful of how good a free taker James Masters is, we must cut down on the frees if we are to have any chance. With Derek Kavanagh not playing, we would hope to win our share of ball at midfield and if we can get a good supply into our forwards, we have the players who can score.
"We know what we are up against, but there is no shortage of confidence among our lads.This kind of opportunity doesn't come around too often and we intend to make the most of it."
Keane went into the semi-final against An Gaeltacht carrying the injury and lasted 20 minutes. In normal circumstances he would not have started, but the team mentors were sure the Kerry side would assign Marc Ó Sé to mark him.
That's exactly how it worked out, and Ó Sé's absence from full back created a gap which St Senan's exploited. Before being withdrawn Keane kicked two excellent points which vindicated the selectors' decision to start him.
Nemo's record in the championship is very intimidating. They have won seven All-Ireland titles and on Sunday are chasing their 13th provincial crown against a side that has yet to inscribe their name on the Munster cup.
Since the inception of this particular grade of championship in 1964, Nemo have contested 13 finals, losing once, to Thomond College in the 1977 decider. The title has gone to the Banner county only twice, 1998/99 when Doonbeg were successful and 2004/5 when Kilmurry/Ibrickane defeated Stradbally in the final after a replay.
St Senan's, who knocked out the defending champions Kilmurry/Ibrickane in the Clare county final, have contested three finals, losing on each occasion, 1989 to Castlehaven 0-13 to 1-8; 1992 to O'Donovan Rossa 2-13 to 0-12, and 2003 to An Gaeltacht 1-8 to 1-6.
According to club secretary John Lynch - now 34 years in the job - the atmosphere in Kilkee since qualifying for the final a fortnight ago, is building nicely. "There is a tremendous air of expectation in the town that we can finally break our duck after failing in three previous attempts.
"However we are mindful of Nemo's prowess. Their record speaks for itself, but we are taking great heart from Kilmurry/Ibrickane's achievements last year. If we are to fail, it won't be for want of commitment."
* The Munster winners will play Ulster champions St Gall's (Antrim) in the All-Ireland semi-final in February.
THE GAA has been urged to give the fourth official a more prominent role in inter-county games.
Tyrone county secretary Dominic McCaughey wants some of the responsibilities of referees transferred to his sideline assistant.
Reflecting on the furore which surrounded the wrongful dismissal of Tyrone's attacking stars Peter Canavan and Stephen O'Neill during this year's Ulster final replay, McCaughey has called for a review of the role of match officials. Both players were red-carded by Cork referee Michael Collins, but were later exonerated when it was established the referee had got it wrong in both instances.
"Perhaps this particular incident would encourage the fixture-controlling body to review the role and duties of the fourth match official to allow him to keep a record of the yellow cards issued to players during the course of a game," McCaughey says in his report to next week's Tyrone convention.
"And, even more importantly, such an official should be allowed to communicate directly with the referee when it is evident that the referee has made, or is about to make, a wrong decision. The referee should then be allowed to reverse, amend or change the erroneous decision immediately, and then continue on with the game.
"This would alleviate the distress caused to the player and his team, it would remove a source of annoyance to supporters, and it would eliminate the embarrassment suffered by the referee. An immediate response or reaction is almost always preferable to a reversed decision taken at a later stage by a committee of officials."
McCaughey stresses that no ill-feeling exists towards referee Michael Collins, who made what the Tyrone official believes were simple mistakes, both without malice.
"While many members, players and supporters have been highly critical of the gross errors made by the referee, which undoubtedly cost this county another senior Ulster title, it is appropriate that we recognise now that the referee simply made two mistakes, just as any player, manager or other official could do in the course of a game.
"There was no malice or other intention in his decisions and he did make a sincere apology to Stephen O'Neill for his error."
McCaughey recalls the dramatic provincial final replay at Croke Park, which took a "bizarre" twist after Tyrone, leading by four points, lost to fierce rivals Armagh following the dismissals of Canavan and O'Neill.
McCaughey adds: "Unfortunately, the sendings off in this game diminished the status of the victory earned by Armagh, through absolutely no fault of their own. Subsequently, Peter Canavan was exonerated by the disciplinary committee with responsibility for the fixture, on viewing the video recording of the game.
"In the case of Stephen O'Neill, there was a clear recognition that the referee made a most serious error in showing him a red card for a second bookable offence, and he was immediately, totally exonerated of any wrongdoing."
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