Keane targets another big scalp as U-16 ladies gear up for Mayo showdown

Tommy Keane is well aware of the commitment needed to challenge the province’s traditional top two teams, Mayo and Galway.

Keane guided Roscommon’s U-14 girls’ footballers to the Connacht Gold (A) final in 2024 while this year the Michael Glaveys clubman has taken charge of the county U-16 team, helping them progress to a provincial decider against Mayo on Saturday next in Bekan at 4 p.m..

It’s an impressive feat, becoming even more eyecatching when you consider that Galway were crowned Connacht U-14 champions in 2023 before Mayo managed to defeat the Tribeswomen in the All-Ireland quarter-finals and subsequently claim national glory.

Keane highlights that his side’s memorable campaign, which has seen them beat Sligo, Leitrim and, most notably, Galway has been possible due to the players’ commitment.

“We were looking for athletic players and, most importantly, players who would give a full commitment to our squad when we started out. We picked 30 players out of 130 that trialled out.

“They have been so committed. Our figures on training attendances are through the roof. We rarely have less than 28 or 29 at training and most times we have the full panel of 30 training, which shows great commitment from the players, parents and everyone who brings them around the country.

“The goal at the beginning of the year was to improve the standard of football within the group and see where that takes us. We try and mould them into a team that are hard to beat. We are also an attack-minded team.

“You never know year on year how strong Mayo and Galway are going to be. Galway won the U-14 Connacht title in 2023 while Mayo then beat Galway after that and went on to win the All-Ireland. That shows the calibre of teams that we compete against in Connacht,” he noted.

Keane believes that his side’s 3-10 to 1-8 win over Galway during the round robin series in Corofin gave his side enormous belief in themselves.

“It was a massive boost. It gives great confidence to girls when they go out and play one of the bigger counties and come away with a win alongside playing some brilliant football to get that win.

“I was chatting to a few of the older girls, and they have been on the road for four years with the county and they wouldn’t have got close to beating Galway before this. To go out and beat them was a great fillip for them.

“I think we have 13 who are in their first year on the panel. They beat Mayo last year (in U-14) and so they would have tasted success against a big county. It gives them great confidence that we can put it up to the best in Connacht,” he pointed out.

With a big provincial final looming, Keane believes that his side are primed to give a fancied Mayo outfit a stern test of their credentials.

“Mayo are a very well-rounded team with quality all over the field. But we have quality players of our own and we are really focused.

“The girls have trained really hard, and we have a really good backroom team with John Kennedy and Donal Carroll, Colin Sheridan alongside Aisling (Burke) and Rebecca (Finan) in the management team and Catherine (Goode), our FLO (Female Liaison Officer).

“We are well-organised, and we will be giving it one hell of a shot. With a bit of luck, we might pull it off,” he concluded.