Speaking for the first time since he announced his retirement from inter-country football, Lee Keegan has said he is grateful to step away on his own accord.
In the news that every Mayo fan was fearing but expected, Lee Keegan announced his retirement from Mayo earlier this week, and will go down as one of the greatest players to never win an All-Ireland title.
Having made his debut for Mayo in 2011, Lee Keegan walks away with five Connacht titles, a national league title, five all-stars, and a footballer of the year award.
While Mayo may not have won an All-ireland during his time, Lee Keegan always showed up on the biggest occasions.
His battles against Diarmuid Connolly was one of the best rivalries in modern times. with Lee Keegan's performances in the 2016 and 2017 finals deserving of a medal.
Lee Keegan Reflects On Retirement
For the first time as a retired inter-county player, Lee Keegan gave an interview on his decision.
Speaking on the Mayo Football Podcast, Keegan was grateful that he was in a position to step away on his own accord.
I'm very content with my work with Mayo. I'm proud with the work I did, but I'm also proud that I got to wear the jersey for as long as I wanted to wear it, and I went out on my own accord.
People were saying you are still playing at a good level, I'm going out knowing I left it in a really good place, and I never tried to shy away from that. I'm also proud that I got to work with the group as long as I did.
I remember when I came in I got to have a conversation with Micky C when we were over in New York, and he was like how long do I play for, and I said 'ah Micky, if I get five or six years I will be delighted.'
So to go on for 12 seasons, and play 140 games, I'm very content."
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