Killererin’s Keane sets his sights on elusive provincial medal

KILLERERIN’S Alan Keane will bid to add to his impressive gaelic football CV in tomorrow’s Connacht club SFC final against Roscommon champions St Brigid’s.

Keane was Galway goalkeeper in 2001 when the county last enjoyed All-Ireland senior success. It was a cinderella season for him, coming into the team after their heavy defeat to Roscommon in the Connacht championship before collecting a Celtic Cross during his debut campaign.

At club level, Keane, a garda by profession, has four county senior medals since 1999 and now wants to add a provincial medal to that collection this weekend.

Keane is stationed and living in Oranmore and life is good, especially given Killererin’s run to the provincial final this year, which has brought him plenty of satisfaction.

He said: “I was 16 when I first played senior in goal for the club and 18 years later, I’m still at it and still enjoying it.

“2010 has been going really well for us. Our success is down to hard work and everyone giving 100% to the cause. We want to win a Connacht club title and since our win in the county final that has been the only thing on our mind.

“It is not rocket science and Tommie (Joyce) has been doing a great job all year as manager. It is hard going, but he has always done whatever is needed for us to be professionally prepared and in good shape for the big games.”

St. Brigid’s are marginal favourites — they easily beat Killererin in 2007’s semi-final — but Keane is in confident mood.

“Some of our younger players, like Tomás (Fahy), Colin (Forde), Michéal (Boyle) and Daniel (Mannion) have grown from young boys into men in the past year or two and they are key players on the team now. Guys like those lads along with Declan Kelly (captain) have been leading the way this year and we expect more of the same this weekend.”

Alan married Galway camogie star Aoife Lynsky from Ardrahan last February and he knows that at 34, chances of provincial success won’t come around much more.

“Life moves on for everyone and we can’t afford not to take our chance tomorrow.

“St. Brigid’s are a good team and guys like Karol Mannion, Frankie Dolan and Senan Kilbride are terrific players. But the game is on our home patch and we have to make the most of that. We are at full strength with Padraic (Joyce) back from honeymoon. We won’t be making any excuses if we lose.”