Eddie Brennan | Joe Canning | Ollie Canning | DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan
Martin Comerford | Lar Corbett | Brendan Cummins | Ronan Curran
Ger Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Damien Fitzhenry | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Michael Kavanagh
Eoin Kennedy | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Larkin | Derek Lyng
Fergus McMahon | Seanie McMahon | Johnny McIntosh | Andrew Mitchell
Stephen Molumpy | Pat Mulcahy | John Mullane | Sean Óg Ó Hailpin
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | Ben O'Connor | Seamus Prendergast
Keith Raymond | Eoin Quigley | Joe Rabbite | Keith Rossiter | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | James Skehill | Tommy Walsh | Brian Whelehan | James Young
A dual talent in Dublin is normally whisked into the cradle of football before he has a chance to let his stick work do the talking but at just 21 years old Conal Keaney has already matured into one of the top hurlers in the country.
Despite Dublin’s tame exit from the Leinster championship against Kilkenny, before finally falling foul to Offaly in the qualifiers Keaney’s contribution was still recognised with an All-Star nomination. It was earlier in the season when he cemented his name in the hurling fans consciousness with a devastating individual performance as Dublin beat Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup final.
Keaney put down his hurl in mid-summer only to play a pivotal role in Dublin’s
Under-21 All-Ireland football success when he covered every inch of grass in the final against Tyrone. The fear for hurling enthusiasts is that Keaney can no longer hide from the gaze of the football mad populace. He may eventually be lost to hurling, as the lure of a senior All-Ireland success beckons him across the divide.
So far, he has managed to juggle the two sports adequately, while at the same time excelling in both. Whichever code he ends up adopting full-time (wouldn’t it be great if he could continue to play both) Dublin has unearthed a phenomenal talent whose best is yet to come.
What has been your greatest moment in sport?
Winning the Under-21 All-Ireland football title was really special. I also captained the Dublin Colleges to the Leinster title in 2000 and winning the Walsh Cup this year was also great but if I had to pick one, it would be the All-Ireland success.
Who are the toughest team you have ever faced?
In hurling, Kilkenny. In football, probably the Galway team who beat us in the Under-21 All-Ireland final in 2002 - they were a really strong team.
Who is the toughest opponent you have ever come up against?
Brian Whelahan (from Offaly). I played against him this year and he just reads the game very well. I thought I would have the pace of him, because he is getting on a bit, but all his skills are still there. I couldn’t do anything without him dispossessing me.
What advice would you give to young players?
Try and get out and play everyday, just spin the hurl with a few friends or whatever. Dedication is vital and if you go off and train on your own you will improve. But playing everyday is important.
Who was your childhood hero?
Joe Cooney on the hurling front, while in Dublin it would have to be Barney Rock.
How do you balance being a dual player?
It’s not too bad actually. When you play a lot of hurling it’s good to put down the hurl and try something else for a while, and vice-versa. I like switching over as it means you never lose the hunger for either game.
Is it difficult to concentrate on your studies and play so much sport?
It is tricky coming up to exams but I try to get the work done at this time of year so I am freed up when the championship
build-up begins.
© December 2003
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