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april 14-20, 2016
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Conal Keaney cited work reasons as a key factor in his decision to retire from intercounty hurling this week
Conal hangs up his hurl Dual-star Keaney calls time on an incredible career with Dublin having played a big role both on the football and hurling front for over a decade
james hendicott
sport@dublingazette.com
CONAL Keaney, Ballyboden St Enda’s All Ireland winning dual star, has retired from intercounty hurling, citing business and family commitments. He announced his retirement earlier this week, following Dublin’s exit from league competition. At 33, Keaney was a regular for the Dublin senior hurling side for a number of years, and also featured on the Boden team that took home the All Ireland club football title on St Patrick’s Day. He tweeted earlier this week: “I have
informed Dublin management that I will not be playing in 2016. Retirement. Wishing all the players best of luck.” Keaney was particularly key to the Dublin hurling side, having been added to the senior side in 2011 following a move from football, and played a critical role in Dublin’s 2011 league final win and their Leinster championship win in 2013. He missed out on glory on the footballing side, having departed the Dublin football panel the year before the side won Sam Maguire with the dramatic injury time kick from Stephen Cluxton. Keaney has struggled with injury in recent
years, suffering serious problems after being involved in a motorbike crash on the eve of the All-Ireland quarter final in 2011, when his motorbike was hit by a truck. He broke a knee and suffered cruciate ligament damage at a key moment in his first season dedicated wholly to the county hurling side. It took almost a year for Keaney to return. On the club front, the Boden man has won five Dublin hurling titles and two hurling titles to date with his club side, including a double in 2009, when he was also nominated footballer of the year. When Boden dominated the recent All-Ireland club final, Keaney started up top against
Castlebar Mitchels, scoring a point in an emphatic 2-14 to 0-7 win that saw the club lift their first Andy Merrigan cup in their first All Ireland final. Keaney runs twin business ventures, and told the Herald this week that a commitment to GAA has been particularly hard on his ability to build the projects - Phoenix Park Bikes and CP Adventure - and on spending time with his young family. “You need to give it 100% at intercounty level. I’ve two young kids and I’m never really home,” he admitted. Keaney is expected to continue to turn out for Ballyboden St Enda’s.