For dual player Tom Keenan, Saturday won’t be his first All Ireland final.

The forward has already had that experience while playing hurling for Lisbellaw in the Feile a few years ago.

The result did not go as he had hoped on that occasion but it is an experience that has lived with him.

“It was a brilliant experience. I played in the Division Four final in hurling for Lisbellaw in the Feile in Limerick. We lost that day by two points but it was a great experience and probably my best achievement until we went on and won the MacRory Cup this year,” he said.

Indeed, the MacRory Cup final was not the only school final that Tom has played in this year as he was also a key component of the St Michael’s hurling side that reached the Casement Shield final.

The Enniskillen school had defeated St Columb’s Derry to secure their place in the final as they set up a meeting with Loreto Coleraine. There was to be no double though for Keenan as despite a gallant fightback, St Michael’s were narrowly beaten.

“We got off to a poor start and although we fought back and got ahead we ran out of steam and lost by four points,” he added.

It is a big commitment to play both sports but Keenan stresses that there is an understanding between the various coaches.

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“In the school, Mr Hughes and Mr Corrigan work alongside each other to make sure that we can play both and they understand if you are tired and that.

“I love both sports and managers will always understand.”

A winners’ medal though did arrive on the football pitch for Keenan who had a fine game as St Michael’s claimed the MacRory Cup with victory over Omagh CBS in the final.

“It was an unbelievable feeling to have won an Ulster title. It was unreal,” he commented.

And St Michael’s are now in the hunt for more silverware as they go in search of an elusive Hogan Cup this Saturday.

Standing between them and the title is Naas CBS and Keenan is expecting a big battle in Croke Park.

“They are a strong side, they are in the final on merit the same as us and it is going to be big challenge for us but hopefully we can go on and win it.

“We will have to push as hard as we can to get the result.”

There is a very tight bond between this group of players at St Michael’s and Tom believes that has served them well when they have been under pressure in games.

“There is a seriously well knit unit there.

“Everybody knows each other inside out, we would be real good friends and that has probably helped as well in games and will hopefully help us on Saturday too,” he said.

And Tom says that it would mean the world to go one better than he did in Limerick in that Feile final and win the title with victory in Croke Park on Saturday afternoon.

“I can’t put it into words what it would mean, it would be unbelievable,” he commented.