Sligo's Keelan Cawley pictured at the launch of the 2024 Connacht SFC. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
For a while in the summer of 2010 all was good in the world for Sligo football.
Keelan Cawley’s first campaign on the senior inter-county beat including stirring Connacht Championship wins over the bluebloods of the western game, Mayo and Galway, at Markievicz Park.
The provincial decider culminated in Donie Shine’s sweet free kicking earning Roscommon victory over Sligo in Castlebar.
Nonetheless, it was an exciting stint for Cawley, who recently announced his retirement from Sligo duty following a decade and a half of distinguished service. “I think those years were great,” Cawley reflects.
“You come in, my debut year, you beat Mayo, you end up beating Galway in a replay in Markievicz Park. For a couple of years, you think this is handy enough, this is a great job. It doesn't always quite work out like that.”
Demanding days were subsequently endured. “I wouldn't say we went downhill very quickly or anything, we were Connacht finals in 2012 - where we narrowly got beaten by Mayo - and we were back in it again in 2015,” Cawley adds.
“I know Mayo probably were at the height of their powers at that stage and they taught us a lesson that day. I didn't think we were too far away from being right in the mix in those years.
"After '15, maybe '16 to '19 we struggled a little bit, but you can see in the last few years we are back on the right track.”
Suddenly, significant hope accompanies the Sligo footballers again. That matters deeply to Cawley. “The influx of a couple of young players, that has really helped the squad,” Cawley remarks.
“So, I think things are heading in the right direction for Sligo. Hopefully there is a bit to come for the lads in the next couple of years, I definitely think they are on the crest of a wave. So, hopefully they can build on it.”
Keelan Cawley celebrating following Sligo's 2010 Connacht SFC win over Mayo at Markievicz Park. Photo by Ray Ryan/Sportsfile
When Tony McEntee’s promising Sligo outfit lost to Down in the Tailteann Cup semi-final, Cawley’s thoughts immediately switched to Coolera-Strandhill. The time for thorough reflection on his Sligo career will happen later in the year. “That is usually how I'd operate,” Cawley explains.
“We finished on a Sunday against Down, I was training with the club on the Tuesday night. So, when you get to my age, once you stop, it is hard to get going again.”
There is still satisfaction for Cawley, who experienced the rise, fall, and rejuvenation in Sligo football. “Yeah, I'd say you're right there,” he responds.
“When I first came in, football was probably a different type of game, I'd put it that way. You could see the way we were going around 2010. The game has changed now.
“Everyone is an attacking player and everyone is a defender now, that sort of way. You had out and out positions. Even back in 2010 fellas played a role, you might have some teams playing a sweeper system, that sort of way.”
Underage success has been delivered and that helps instil emerging players with belief, even though senior fare brings an altogether different challenge. “It takes away that sort of, for myself, I wouldn't call it a fear factor, but it dispels the myth that teams like Sligo and Leitrim can't compete at that level,” Cawley says.
“Evidence has shown on a day, especially in Connacht, that anything can happen. Any team can come out on the right side of a result. Connacht is probably one of the provinces where on a day a team can turn anyone over, regardless of how well or poorly they are playing.”
Some moments and memories will always be etched in Cawley’s mind. “I haven't probably reflected fully yet, but the debut is something you don't forget,” he states about the daring 2010 adventure.
“You’re thrown into the thick of it and you're free to play. In 2010 the Division Three Final was great. The Division Four Final in 2023, it was great to get it. I thought we were probably playing in the wrong division for the standard of player we had. It was just great to get over the line in it. The last few years have been enjoyable, the Division Four Final, it was funny.
“I brought my daughter on to the pitch at Croke Park, she is only getting into the mindset of taking sport a bit serious now.
Andy Maher, Wicklow, and Keelan Cawley, Sligo, in action during the 2023 Allianz Football League Division Four Final at Croke Park. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
“She is only 10, but to bring her up the steps of the Hogan, to lift the trophy, to get a couple of photos, that was a real highlight for me. That is one of the biggest days that sticks out.”
With a young family, balancing everything in life can be a tricky task, but Cawley highlights the work carried out by those close to him. “Only for my wife, who has been nearly like a single mother for the last 10 years, she picked up the slack, she allowed you to go training,” Cawley explains.
“Even my own parents minding the kids, it gives you the chance to go to play. They knew how much playing meant to me, how much I enjoyed it, and it was great to have that support network around, it allowed you to still play at a high level with the commitment that is involved in inter-county football at the minute. In saying that, I enjoyed every minute of playing.”
The friendships forged will last. Matches were won and lost, but in the last few years Cawley quietly and simply relished his playing colleagues support too. “You were going to training meeting the lads,” Cawley adds.
“When you do end up having a family and are involved, I think Sligo is a county where everyone is close in proximity to each other. It was just great that young lads on the team in their early to mid 20s, they all made time if any of the kids were with me at training or after a game.
“They always made time to come over to say hello to them, that was one of the big things that made it a little bit sweeter for me towards the end of the my career.
“It just made you feel that there was a real sort of bond between lads, they'd take the time out to come over to say hello to your family, stuff like that and vice versa.”
Coolera-Strandhill are relevant in Sligo again, afirst county title since 2005 was gleaned last year. “The club is where it all starts and where it finishes,” he says.
“You never take it for granted going back to play for the club. Even myself, the decision to step away from inter-county football, it was always in the back of my mind to make sure I was able to give a good few years to the club, to go back to enjoy it.”
That philosophy serves Cawley well.
