LOUTH MIDFIELDER PADDY Keenan has announced his retirement from intercounty football at the age of 29.
In a statement issued through the GPA, Keenan cited work commitments and long-standing injuries as the main reason for hanging up his boots after 12 years of service for the Wee County.
Keenan, who turns 30 next month, won an Allstar in 2010 for his excellent performances at centre-field.
He claimed Division 2 & 3 league titles with Louth in 2006 and 2011 respectively, while also being part of the side who lost the 2010 Leinster final in controversial circumstances to Meath.
“It was a huge honour for me to represent Louth for the past 12 years and I had the privilege of playing with and against so many great players,” he said in the statement.
“While we didn’t have the success we worked so hard for, I have only positive memories of my county career and the people who I soldiered alongside.
“I would like to thank my club St. Patrick’s GFC who I was so proud to represent and I hope this decision will allow me to extend my club career for a few extra years.
“Thanks to the Louth supporters who have always shown great loyalty to me as a player and to our county squad despite experiencing many difficult periods on the field of play.”
Just look at his block on Seamus Kenny in the build up to that ill fated ‘goal’ in the Leinster Final ’10 . Incredible Footballer and Leader. Thanks Paddy! An Lu Abú!
Absolutely fabulous footballer, best midfielder in Leinster for quite a stretch before MDMA hit his peak.
Young to retire, but a reminder of the massive commitment required to compete at intercounty these days. Can’t be done half heartedly, we’re lucky to have them.
Anyone who dismisses paddy keen and time in a Louth Jersey is a jackals. He was probably Louth best ever all round player. He will be very badly missed. Thanks a million Paddy. You will be remembered as a Louth Legend.
Quality player. Big loss to Louth. Still think John Galvin should have won that All Star in 2010
No chance . No disrespect to John Galvin but Paddy’s performances that year were thoroughly deserving of the All Star . The best player I have ever seen wear a Louth Jersey by a long way .
If was happened in the Leinster final hadn’t happened I’d have my doubts about whether or not he’d still have won
Then Louth would have won leinster, so he was guaranteed to win one
On what basis Stephen ? Are you saying it was a sympathy vote and that John Galvin was a better player that year ?
Meath won no All Star that year and they won Leinster so no he wouldn’t have been
Both. Meath won Leinster that year yet won no All Star. Why was that? John Galvin was MOTM in the Minster final and qualifier game against Cork. He also won the GPA All Star that year, an award picked by the players
*Munster final
Galvin was not as good a footballer as Paddy Keenan full stop . Hadn’t the all round ability nor could he use both feet the way Paddy did . Nobody knows which is Paddy’s strong foot . Bar the qualifier game v Dublin when the heart and soul had been ripped out of the Louth team Paddy Keenan was Man of The Match in every game he played in that championship including the final . The RTE Panel gave it to Eamon McAuley and the entire country scratched their heads . I take your point about John Galvin getting the players award but the journalists who pick the All Stars attend and see more matches than the bulk of the players . That’s their job. Meath not getting an award is irrelevant .
The fact Meath didn’t win an All Star only backs up the fact it was a Token All Star to make up for the Leinster final. The fact you’re clearly from Louth makes you a little bias on the matter
The fact that Meath didn’t win an All Star proves nothing . The fact that you would use a facetious argument of that nature indicates clearly that you are clutching at straws .
Don’t see too many teams who don’t get as far as the Q/F winning All Stars do you? Again the fact you’re from Louth makes you fairly bias on this matter
Like I said your’s is a facetious argument devoid of any substance . Meath had 15 players plus subs on the field of play that day and he was better than any of them . Where I’m from doesn’t change that .
It does really. You’re obviously going to be bias about it. You’ve given very little to back up your point, other than the fact he’s from Louth that is
I’ve spoken about his qualities as a player including the fact that he has two great feet. I spoke about the fact that he has an all round game. I spoke about some of his many great games. I referred you to what MDMA and Tomas O Se said on Twitter. I can add more if you like. You on the other hand have said …………
John Galvin and Keenan should have been the All Star midfield pairing that year. Two top quality footballers and anyone who says one was definitely better than the other is an idiot. Aidan Walsh only got the All Star in 2010 for playing well against a mediocre Down team in the final.
Talking shite Louth football don’t make me laugh wanabe Leinster champions muppet small county syndrome
Paddy Kennan is a hero. He would have got on any county team in the country and would be a stand out figure on that team! Deserved more!!!!an Lu abu!!!
Decent player. Louth still a s##t team makes him look good.
It’s not the players he is playing with you judge him on. It’s the players he plays against. Time and again he proved he was a class act against top teams. He didn’t look good because of who he played with. He looked good because of what he did to the opposition on the field.
Nah, the lad was/is top notch.
Brendan Murphy from Carlow a far superior player to Keenan. Never a hope of him getting an All Star. In all fairness I think the only reason Keenan got one was because of the Leinster final debacle.
Paddy Keenan has been at the top of the game for the last ten seasons . He took on the Tyrone midfield in a qualifier in 2006 . He went toe to toe with them in two and a half matches and never gave an inch . Brendan Murphy is a fine player but he is not as good as Paddy . Go to Twitter and have a look at what MDMA and Tomas O Se have said about him .
In all fairness now he hasn’t been at the top of the game 10 seasons. How do you make that out? Beaten by Carlow in 2011. 2010 apart then what?
If you think I wouldn’t champion the cause of talented players from weaker counties you’re wrong. I’m from a small county and know well the plight of top performers who never get any recognition. Just think he’s a bit overrated?
Michael,
To say Brendan Murphy is a far superior footballer to Keenan is a pretty strong statement.
In my own view Keenan would edge it for me, he is a seriously gifted all round footballer, he always stood out against any opposition in an otherwise fairly average Louth team. Granted, being from a not too popular neighbouring county, I’ve seen more of Keenan over the years, but I’ve never failed to be impressed by him at both club and county level.
I don’t agree . Try 2006 for a start . Have a look at what MDMA tweeted .
All due respect, I couldn’t care less what McCauley tweets.
Look, Murphy didn’t even play county this year but tbh I’d say he’s definitely better. Clearly better. Brendan Quigley also better in my opinion.
MDMA has only gone up against the best in the game and was only Footballer of The Year last year. Hardly a qualified judge now is he ?
Twitter Richie? Seriously? McCauley says something complimentary so that’s it? Set in stone? I’m not trying to change your opinion. I just don’t share it. Enjoy your memories.
Twitter?
Michael Dara McAuley and Tomas O Se ? Two fairly good judges wouldn’t you think ? Would what they have to say not inform your opinion ?
No.
Players make throwaway comments all the time. So and so is one of the best etc
If you asked the same players to directly compare Paddy Keenan, no harm to him mind you, to say Aidan O’Shea et al they’d refuse to give you a straight answer. Guarantee you.
Like I said previously I firmly believe that both Brendan Murphy and Brendan Quigley are better than Keenan.
I think John Galvin was, Pauric Clancy, Dara O’Se definitely was. Aidan Walsh currently is. Keenan is a good player and an excellent servant to Louth fair play to him but twitter is designed for an oul’ off the cuff remark. Means nothing.
Rubbish . Tomas O Se is a pundit whose credibility depends entirely on people believing what he says . Your arrogance in dismissing what players say is staggering . You freely admit Brendan Murphy is not playing for his county yet he is a better player than Paddy ? Enough said . Dara O Se is the best midfielder of his generation . He’s better than anyone . Dara’s brother rates Paddy very highly. What you have to say in relation to dismissing what players say about Paddy Keenan is staggering in it’s arrogance . Say what you like . What great players have to say about him speaks significantly louder than what a keyboard mouthpiece like you has to say .
Thanks Richie, I will say what I like. Cheers. If I’m a keyboard mouthpiece what are you?
Calm down Richie eh.
I freely admit Brendan Murphy is not playing for his county? What are you on about man? How is that an admission? It’s a matter of public record and in no way negates my point.
Look, you seem to take your opinion from what a few high profile individuals tell you while I prefer to think for myself. Sure whatever works for you I suppose.
Paddy Waddy is the bestest and so are you okey dokey?
Suit yourself, I don’t care what you think.
Even Brendan Murphy doesn’t agree with you . Have a look at what he says in Twitter .
Michael nobody even knows where Carlow is and furthermore no one cares.
Oooohhh Alan, furthermore eh?
Worst riposte ever!!!