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Lee Keegan will hope to continue his scoring form this Sunday. Cathal Noonan/INPHO

'I can't be compared with Tomás Ó Sé until I do what he's done' - Lee Keegan

The Mayo wing-back has received lots of praise for his play over the last few years.

HE’S WIDELY REGARDED as one of the top five players in the country, driving forward at every opportunity, and putting in the type of wing-back performances we associate with Kerry legend Tomás Ó Sé.

The Westport clubman is set to face the Kingdom this Sunday and while the comparisons are flattering, says Lee Keegan, they’re coming far too early in his career.

“Any time you get compared to one of your idols – and I loved watching and playing against him – it’s great but I can’t really be compared to Tomás Ó Sé until I do what he’s done either.

“I don’t tend to go out just to score but I do put myself into the position to do it and those sort of compliments give you the confidence to go forward so just to be regarded in the same breath as him is great.

“He was the best wing-back in Ireland so he’d be hard bet. From a scoring rate, it’s hard to know how I do it, it just happens.”

Lee Keegan is an ambassador for SuperValu, proud sponsor of the GAA Football All Ireland Championship. Lee Keegan is an ambassador for SuperValu, proud sponsor of the GAA Football All Ireland Championship. SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE

The rate Keegan refers to is scoring in 15 of Mayo’s last 18 National League and championship games, some return for a player who says he prefers the art of defending to seeing his name amongst the scorers in the match report.

“I probably have to work more on my scoring than defending but keeping my man off the scoresheet is the number one priority.

“I suppose I have the scoring rates I have because of the players around me who set me up and fill in the gaps I leave when I go forward.

“But my real goal is to keep my man from scoring so if it’s a choice between a big block or a 40 yard score, I’d get more satisfaction from the defending.”

The 24-year old also says that it’s games like Sunday’s clash with Kerry that spur him on as a player and gets him through the tough mid-winter training sessions at the start of the season.

“Sometimes you go to training and think, ‘how do I get through another year of all the hard work’, the slog, but I always try to play with a smile on my face and you have to enjoy these big days, it won’t last forever.”

SuperValuIreland / YouTube

SuperValu, proud sponsor of the GAA Football All Ireland Championship, are calling on fans to guess who the Mystery GAA player is using the hashtag #SVwinningtaste on twitter or facebook for a chance to win fantastic prizes, including a VIP Trip to the All-Ireland Football Final.

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Steve O'Rourke
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