Lee Keegan has been named as the 2016 Footballer of the Year.
Though Mayo’s All Ireland journey ended in heartbreak Lee Keegan’s relevance to the Green and Red cannot be underestimated.
The Westport clubman has been rewarded with a fourth GAA/GPA Opel All Star which will go alongside his Footballer of the Year award.
Mayo’s campaign was sprinkled with classy performances from Keegan, who has now made 33 Championship appearances, as Stephen Rochford’s team responded to a surprise loss against Galway at Elverys MacHale Park.
In the All Ireland Football Qualifiers Mayo, with Keegan an influential figure, generated confidence and momentum securing wins over Fermanagh, Kildare, and Westmeath.
When the Quarter-Finals rolled around Keegan was ready, willing, and able to deliver a substantial display in the victory over Tyrone.
Keegan decorated a brilliant performance in that match with the decisive score in the closing stages as Mayo defeated the Ulster Champions.
In the penultimate round Keegan was equally effective against a highly rated Tipperary attack as Mayo advanced to the decider.
Diarmuid Connolly and Keegan had a couple of excellent tussles in those gripping encounters between Dublin and Mayo.
After receiving his award Keegan praised Dublin's recent excellence. "They are an outstanding team, to win four All Irelands in six years is just outstanding," Keegan said. "You have to give them serious credit. Black card or not, I don't know would it have made any difference."
Diarmuid O Connor has been named Young Footballer of the Year.
A stunning Keegan goal in the replay will linger long in the memory and Mayo were disrupted when he was forced off due to a black card.
Following that disappointment Keegan returned to club duty with Westport where he was a key figure in their Mayo Intermediate Championship winning campaign.
Last Saturday evening in Castlebar Keegan starred for Westport, who overcame the spirited challenge of Kiltimagh.
It has been a hectic year for Keegan, who will be in Connacht Intermediate Club action on Sunday when Westport face Monivea-Abbey at Elverys MacHale Park.
Diarmuid O’Connor, who won an EirGrid All Ireland Under 21 title with Mayo in May, has also been named Young Footballer of the Year.
Ballintubber star O’Connor has already made 15 senior Championship appearances for Mayo and played a crucial role in their Qualifiers adventure in 2016.
