Keaveney and Carney looking forward to another Connacht challenge

Kilmeena sharp-shooter and winner of the Man-of-the-Match accolade on Saturday, Darragh Keaveney, said that victory in the intermediate championship final represented an incredible day for the proud West Mayo men.

“There were a lot of emotions at the final whistle and it is just incredible to have won today. Since our foundation in 1889 we have never been a senior championship club. We added our fifth junior title in 2021, however, today we collected a sixth county title and it was at intermediate level, so it will take a while to sink in,” said Keaveney.

“The work-rate that has gone in all year has been unbelievable, be it league or championship and I am just so happy that we have won.

“We didn’t really have time to reflect too much on our previous successes in recent years, you are almost straight back into the action soon after. Last year when we lost to Ballyhaunis in the intermediate final, we had a few weeks off but then it was back to training and focusing on this season. It is probably when I am finished playing that I will be able to look back and reflect on these past few years. We will celebrate for a few days but then we will get back to training and keep going for the Connacht championship,” assured the corner-forward.

Keaveney believes that his side’s semi-final encounter against Moy Davitts proved invaluable and helped get Kilmeena over the line on Saturday.

“This game was similar and you could even compare it to our quarter-final tie against Parke – and perhaps those previous tough encounters stood to us today.

“When Jack Carney struck the levelling score with about five minutes to go, we were just able to refocus and concentrate and try and get the ball back and work a score, which we did. Liam Moore’s point at the end was just unbelievable as we had held onto possession for a good while in the lead up to that.

“We will enjoy tonight and the next few days, but then we will knuckle down and get ready for the Connacht championship,” assured Keaveney, adding: “These days don’t come around too often and you have to take your opportunities when they come up. There are some very tough teams in the intermediate championship in Connacht and there will be nothing easy, and they will be tough games like today. But hopefully games like today will stand to us,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Kilmeena’s county senior footballer Jack Carney also reflected on what has been an amazing journey for Kilmeena these past few years, from losing the 2020 county junior final, to winning the 2021 All-Ireland junior championship, to losing the 2022 county intermediate final, to now earning promotion to senior football for the very first time.

“It has been an amazing journey,” Carney agreed. “The overriding feeling today is just relief. It has been a great club championship for everyone involved in the club and all of our collective efforts have paid off today.

“It was a poor start from our perspective, but bit by bit we got back into the game and after that the game was toing and froing for the majority. Thankfully we managed to chip over some late points to put the game to bed and we got over the line in the end.” 

Mayo star Carney’s big game experience was imperative in the end and he really came into the game late on. However, he felt that perhaps he should have netted his goal chance on 54 minutes.

“If I am being self-critical I should have finished the goal chance a bit better, and also that it took me that long to get into the game. However, my teammates were outstanding today and especially the work-rate that they put in. As a group we got over the line together and there was no one individual that won the game for us. That is perhaps the most satisfying thing about playing football with these lads, that they are very selfless and they always put the team first and that is why I respect them so much and am so happy to be part of this team.” 

Carney’s attention will soon turn to the upcoming Connacht club championship.

“We will certainly enjoy tonight. It is an historic day for the club but we will go back training on Tuesday and focus on the Connacht championship,” assured the midfielder.