Former Mayo footballer Lee Keegan does not believe that some of Mayo's older stars will leave the panel for the upcoming GAA season.
In recent weeks, Jason Doherty and Kevin McLoughlin decided to retire from inter-county football. Keegan, who also retired in 2023, does not believe that players like Aidan O’Shea, Cillian O’Connor, and Robert Hennelly will follow suite.
"I've met up with Aidan a few times, and it's something we wouldn't discussed, but I would be very surprised and shocked if he didn't play again, to be honest. He's in the shape of his life," he said.
"You see his performances, even at the club level. In the recent Ballina game, he kicked six points and looked as fresh as a daisy. So, I fully expect him to return to the Mayo team."
"Robbie is now with Raheny, and he's getting great game time. I think Robbie, too, might have a point to prove since Colm Reape took over the No. 1 spot. There could be a challenge, and Robbie might be thinking, 'Can I got back that spot and give it another year?'"
"I expect that as well, and as for Cillian – he's only 31, so I don't expect him to retire now."
"These guys need a strong club campaign for themselves, but I anticipate them making a full come back in the Mayo jersey next year, and I think it's important for them to do so."
Mayo , Ireland - 24 April 2022; Lee Keegan of Mayo in action against Patrick Kelly of Galway during the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between Mayo and Galway at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar, Mayo. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Keegans's comments comes after Liam McHale, one of Mayo's backroom staff members decided to step down as a selector after just one season.
McHale told Ballina Community Radio that there was no point in him continuing as he and Mayo Senior Football Manager Kevin McStay were on different wave lengths when it came to the team dyanmics
"There were five of us there and the four lads had a totally different philosophy on how this team should play than what I had,” the former All-Star midfielder explained.
“I was surprised at Kevin because normally we would be in sync, but I just felt that there is no point in me being there when I am so far removed from their thinking.
"I didn’t want to drag anybody down or I didn’t want to upset the flow of the whole thing. I thought it was the right thing to do."
McStay is currently lining up a replacement selector.
