'In life, you just have to knuckle down and take the chance when it comes' - Keaney

As a kid, football seemed to come easy to Jack Keaney. It was as simple as getting the ball at his feet and running towards goal.   

Obviously, with age, the job has become a little more complex, but with age comes maturity, and the Donegal Town man admits that while his first season at Drogheda United has brought with it its own challenges, he’s never afraid to bat them away and prove his doubters wrong.  

Facing the possibility of relegation from the League of Ireland is still very much on his side’s mind when they play Bray Wanderers in a fortnights time, but this Sunday all roads lead to the Aviva Stadium when the Louth club play Derry City in what will be Keaney’s first FAI Cup final (kick-off at 3pm).  

The Donegal Town man sat in the ground at Lansdowne Road when Drogheda last played in a cup final back in 2013. This time he hopes to become part of the club’s history as they look to win the trophy for only the second time.  

The focus for the team over the last few weeks has been all tailored towards this weekend and the play-off against Bray.  

“Since we knew that we were going to be in the play-off, it has just been about getting the other games over with and getting boys minutes on the field because everyone is fighting for a spot for the final,” Keaney told Donegal Live.  

“Even at training during the week, you could sense us all pushing each other on, and getting that last bit of preparation done, like our shape, and the fact we played Derry a few weeks ago, so we’ve just been going over those games and focusing in on how they play.  

“It’ll be no time until Saturday comes around where we’ll be in the hotel in Dublin waiting for the final on Sunday. Maybe that’s a good thing that it’s coming around so fast, as long as you’re not getting distracted and worrying about the occasion, that’s the big thing.”  

The Donegal man started his career at Sligo Rovers in August 2017, where he made 54 appearances before moving to UCD at 20, where the former Ireland youth international, dedicated four and a half seasons to College, striking a balance between football and pursuing his degree, while also taking the role as captain before leaving for Drogheda earlier this year.  

With league results not always falling his side’s way, he notes the frustration at times but insists that he’s been learning as a player everyday and adamant to take his chance when it comes his way.  

“It’s been a big change for me this year, but I’ve loved it,” the centre-back said. “There’s been parts that have been frustrating, especially towards the end of the year where I’ve not been in the team, but like anything in life, you just have to knuckle down and take the chance when it comes.  

“It’s not a given that you’re going to be starting every week, especially in a League of Ireland club. That has been different from UCD, but I had that at Sligo Rovers too where I’m thinking about what I have to do to get into the team.  

“But I’ve come on in many games, and I’ve felt that I’ve done well, so it’s not like I haven’t been playing. But yeah, it can be tough, I’m not going to lie because every player wants to be playing.  

“Football has a way of coming back around, it can switch quite quickly for you, but for now, I’m just focused on the next two weeks.”  

Those are the on-field challenges that all sportspeople face. He knows it too well.  

Coming from a sporting family he has seen the highs and lows his older siblings Luke and Kate have faced in their careers playing football with Donegal. In fact, if life decided to take another corner, Keaney may have followed in their footsteps in the green and gold.  

But one thing he has taken from them is advice, mainly to live in the moment and not to be overcome by setbacks.  

“I suppose coming from a good family that always had me grounded, that plays its part. I’ve had my brother Luke who has gone through so much in his career, so trying to get advice from him has been brilliant,” Keaney said.   

“He’s been the one who has been closest to me through my career and knows what’s going on in the background too.

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“I think the main thing is to not get too high with the highs or too low with the lows. It’s about finding that middle ground, especially this week when we’re at the peak of our season and when we’re about to play at the Aviva Stadium.  

“I think there’s only one player on our team who has been in a Cup final before, so it doesn’t come around that easy and we have to enjoy it while we can and not have any regrets.  

“The only thing I’m focused on is the next two weeks. One where we’re trying to win a trophy in front of 50,000 people, and then the following week where we’re trying to survive in the league for next season.  

“I suppose when you get to a final, you start to think about all the people that have helped me along the way like coaches and teammates back in Donegal Town even. You just want to make them proud and play your part.”