Lee Keegan: False MS rumour upset my family

The 2016 Footballer of the Year Lee Keegan says he’s ‘disappointed’ by ‘a false rumour’ that he has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

The Mayo star underwent two separate surgical procedures on each of his hips in recent weeks and looks set to be sidelined for between four and five months, as he rehabilitates from those operations.

However, the 28-year-old felt he needed to clarify the situation about his general health after widespread speculation in GAA circles recently that he had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a condition that affects the central nervous system.

“I’m feeling great, body-wise and health-wise I’m brilliant, and the operations on my hips went really well,” said four-time All Star Keegan. “I definitely can confirm that I don’t have MS, which is a very serious condition and something that really shouldn’t be discussed in the manner that it has been.

Just in terms of my family being asked about my health, I felt it was important to clarify the situation. I’m 100% fine and healthy and, thankfully, have no illness like that.

“I was disappointed to see my family upset by the rumours and it’s not nice for people who do have MS for my name to be thrown around in conversations like that, with false rumours.

“I was disappointed that a false story like that went around so quick, and I just wanted people to know that it wasn’t true.”

Keegan’s recent hip surgeries means he will miss a significant number of Mayo’s National League matches next spring, as the recovery period is expected to rule him out of action for at least the first four rounds.

Mayo open their Division 1 National League campaign away to Monaghan in Clones on Sunday, January 28, and will also play Kerry (February 3), Galway (February 11) and Dublin (February 24) over a four-week period.

The second half of the league sees Mayo take on Kildare (March 4), Tyrone (March 17) and Donegal (March 25).