WHILE RUMOURS WERE flying around Mayo that Lee Keegan had picked up a serious illness, Aidan O’Shea was thousands of miles away in Australia and even he couldn’t avoid them.
O’Shea captained the Irish International Rules side Down Under last month, while there was widespread speculation in Mayo GAA circles that Keegan had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a condition that affects the central nervous system.
Last week Keegan, the 2016 Footballer of the Year, felt compelled to scotch the false rumours as his family were ‘upset’ by the claims.
“It’s a strange one,” says O’Shea. “It wasn’t something I seen on social media or anything like that. It was more a word of mouth. You’d love to know where these things start, it’s obviously not nice.
“Leeroy himself, just knowing the guy, I’d say it’s water off a duck’s back but for his family and people in Westport and Mayo in general, it’s not a nice rumour to have about something that’s that serious.
“I was out in Australia and boys were asking me was it true. I was like, ‘No it’s not true.’ It’s obviously not nice but it’s put to bed now and thankfully it’s done.
“People in Mayo are passionate about the game and we’re a football mad, crazy county. People love to talk about it and that’s probably why it happens.”
O’Shea himself was the subject of an absurd controversy back in May when Bernard Flynn kicked off ‘Selfiegate’ after a Meath-Mayo challenge game.
The Mayo star says the storm which followed compelled him to switch off social media for a spell.
“This year I switched it off during some of the stupid stuff that happened earlier in the year. I just turned it off because it was a different stupid story coming out everyday.
“It was probably my first year doing that because usually things aren’t that crazy. It’s something I didn’t engage in and maybe it did me a bit of good. But it’s not a big deal really.
“It was just stupid. I don’t know why it got so much traction but it did. It became kind of like wildfire then at that time and I was like, ‘There’s no need to engage in this.’”
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Have to say Kenny saying Seamus was in the best period of his career was a bit disconcerting, because he really is far from it and that statement indicates he’s probably starting. Maybe the solution would be to play the back three we have here, but play Omabamidele as a more defensive oriented wing back to add a bit of pace to cover Mbappe. We’ll likely have most Joy on the break anyway so, playing Ogbene down the right side of the forward line would make sense as he runs into the channel a lot and could take up the space that would be vacated by Omabamidele not pushing as far forward. Horses for courses as they say. In reality though we’re unlikely to get anything out of this game, because are just that good, so hope the usual doom merchants around here don’t start the usual pile on after a loss. The team is growing, we need support not this constant negativity.
@Zim Zimma: There are no doom merchants as you imply, people that know the game inside out are quiet fully aware that we simply do not have the talent and all this tripe about how young the squad are and give them a chance simply doesn’t wash. The sight of Stephen Kenny jumping about and celebrating after Ireland scored the winning goal in a friendly game at home to a team ranked 133 in the world just about sums it all up.
The lack of game time for these players will be shown up now against the French.
Collins especially. Kept running out with the ball from the back.he was dropped by wolves because of that He’s not match sharp.
The Doherty has been glued to the bench since he joined athletico
It be a miracle to get a draw, it’s possible if France have an off night but looking how they played last night be a tall order.
Think if your asking Coleman to cover the right wing versus Hernandez and Mbappe your asking for trouble. Have to double up on that side.
Alot of people questioning Coleman’s selection. But if we are to have any hope of a result in this match, a lot of things would have to happen. One of them would have to be a vintage display from Coleman. Any decent result Everton have managed recently, he’s been key.
Bazunu looks all over the place at Southampton at the minute, would start Kelleher, doesn’t make the same mistakes as Bazunu at the minute
@Lord Lurgan: well bazunu has played football this season kelleher hasn’t.
Kelleher needs to be playing first team football. Then he can be the irish number 1
@Lord Lurgan: How could Kelliher make a mistake he does not play
No
No hope for this team
@Mark Dunne: Do you work for the Samaritans?
Eire team needs to gather the midfield as Argentina Did, attack the flanks
My team
Bazunu
Coleman
Egan
ODara
Doherty
Knight
Cullen
Collins
McClean
Smallbone
Ferguson since Idah is not ready
Doesn’t matter which team we put out, they’ll hammer us. Let’s hope the Dutch don’t get any better than they played last night and we might have a chance against them. Was watching the Greece game aswell and they’ll be tough to get points from. So all-in-all we’re pretty-much bunched. COYBIG!
@Terry Fagan: No reason why we can’t give the french a good game. Holland were awful last night.
@Louis Jacob: Let’s hope so!
Good team. Totally agree about Ogbene on current form. He’s more similar to Mitoma at Brighton than Obafemi, a more direct runner. Smallbone as an option for the second half is good too. Not sure what to do with Doherty but I guess he has to start.
I agree with this team. Up front I like Ogbene’s attitude on the pitch and for that reason combined with his pace and strength I’d like to see him start
Think smallbone played too well against latvia to not start