Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Eoin Brosnan | Paddy Bradley | Sean Cavanagh Aidan Carr | Kevin Cassidy | Ronan Clarke | Bryan Cullen | Colm Cooper
Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Kieran Donahy | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Leighton Glynn | Ciaran Hanratty
Stephen Kernan | James Masters | Andy McClean | Oisin McConville
Ciaran McDonald | Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Barry Monaghan
Finnian Moriarty | Adrian Morrissey | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Nicholas Murphy | Eamon O'Hara | Stephen O'Neill
Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé | Declan O'Sullivan | Colm Parkinson | Tomás Quinn
Donal Shine | Ciaran Whelan | Fergal Doherty | Conan Keaney
Darran O'Sullivan | Eoin Bradley | James Masters | John McEntee
Mark Vaughan | Paul Kerrigan
It’s been another all-action year in the playing career of Dub favourite Conal Keaney. It was business as usual in the Leinster final with yet another victory, this time over Kildare. His flair was to the fore once again as the Dubs won their 5th Championship in-a-row. In a tight game, Keaney chipped in with 3 valuable points to send the Hill home happy in a scoreline of 2-15 to 0-18. For Conal and his fellow Dubs it signalled the start of the All-Ireland series and confidence was high. But it was disappointment for Dublin on All-Ireland quarter-final day, when an unstoppable Kerry won out in what was a one-sided contest, putting paid to their dream of taking Sam Maguire back to the Liffey for another year at least.
It was back to the club scene for Conal in the shape of Ballyboden St Endas and a great adventure was about to happen. Playing both hurling and football, he was in inspiring form and helped them to Senior Club titles in both codes with victory over Craobh Chiaráin in hurling and victory over St Judes in football. Bring on 2010!
It’s been a busy year for you with club and county, what has been
the highlight of 2009?
It was great to win another Leinster title with Dublin and doing the Double with Ballyboden St Endas was the icing on the cake really.
What has been your greatest moment in sport?
I cherish every victory, but I suppose doing the Double this year with the Club and achieving the 5-in-a-row of Leinster titles with the county are extra special.
Which is the toughest team you have faced?
Tyrone.
Who was your toughest ever opponent?
Kerry’s Tom O’Sullivan
Which players do you admire the most?
You have to admire guys like Henry Shefflin and Padraig Joyce who produce the goods day in day out.
Who was your childhood sporting hero?
In football Dublin’s Dessie Farrell was the main man and as I always loved hurling I was awe-struck by the brilliant play of Galway’s Joe Cooney.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play for Ballyboden St Endas and our biggest rivals in football would be St Judes, who we beat in this year’s County final. In hurling it would be St Vincents.
How do you balance the GAA and your work?
I am lucky enough to work for AvonRi.com which is a self catering resort and adventure centre on the Blessington Lakes in Wicklow. They are really helpful and understand the needs of an inter-county player.
What’s the most important skill in your opinion?
The First Touch - If you don’t have the ball you can't do anything. Simple as that.
What advice would you give to young players coming through the ranks?
Very important to practise the basic skills. Catching, kicking and scoring. To much time is spent in training doing handpassing and it would be better to work on the simple things.
What are your hopes for the future?
To win an All-Ireland with Dublin and an All-Ireland Club with Ballyboden St Endas.
STATS
Name: Conal Keaney
Age: 27
Team: Dublin
Debut: 2004 v Westmeath
Position: Full-Forward
Honours:
1 All-Ireland U21 football title,
5 Leinster Senior football titles,
1 Dublin Senior football title,
3 Dublin Senior hurling titles,
1 Football Railway Cup title,
2 Hurling Railway Cup titles.
Club: Ballyboden St Endas
Fav Food: Pasta and Chicken
Fav Band: David Guetta
Fav Book: Survival of the fittest
Fav TV: The Simpsons
Fav Film: The Field
Hobbies: Golf, Tennis and Squash.
Occupation: Sales for www.AvonRi.com CúlFACT: When Conal did the Double with Ballyboden St Endas this year, they became the first team to do so since 1981, when St Vincents achieved this great feat. |
