Sporting life of Longford's Seán Keenan has been 'a roller coaster for him and his family'

Seán Keenan from Newtownforbes was the winner of the Sports Ability Award at the Longford Leader Sports Awards 2025, in association with Longford Sports Partnership in the Longford Arms Hotel last Friday night.

Seán is a member of Longford Special Olympic Bowling Club, Longford Phoenix Special Olympic Basketball Club and Mullingar Shooting Stars Special Olympic Club, where he plays soccer and Floorball, and along with that, Seán is a valued member of Longford Rambler and Hikers Club.

He has been involved in sport for the past twenty-seven years and in that time he has surpassed all expectations.

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From representing Ireland in Basketball in Boston and playing in front of 25,000 in Celtic Stadium; to captaining Brian Kerr's team at half time in the Aviva; to scoring Ireland's first goal at the World Games in Shanghai, China, Sean's sporting life has been a roller coaster for him and his family.

He was selected for the Irish Special Olympic Elite Athletic team for the European Games in Debrechen, Hungary and ran a personal best in the 1500 metres in 32 deg.

Away from sport, Sean was honoured with a Helping Hand Award as an outstanding young person with Down Syndrome. 

He also received a prestigious Outstanding Young Person award, sponsored by Junior Chamber Ireland, in the category of personal accomplishment. 

Also read: Top Irish athlete Cian McPhillips crowned 2025 Longford Sports Star of the Year

In 2008, at a reception hosted by the FAI, Sean received his Irish international cap, something that has pride of place on his wall, alongside his medals, too many to count.

From soccer to basketball, floorball to bowling Seán is a great example of what can be achieved when we concentrate on the ability and not the disability.

Also read: What a man! Longford’s inspirational Liam Fenelon has completed 357 marathons and raised over €500,000 for charity

Caption: Longford Leader Managing Editor Alan Walsh, Longford County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Niall Gannon,  Longford Leader Media Specialist Jess McCaul (on behalf of sponsor Pat the Baker), Sports Ability Award winner Seán Keenan, Longford Sports Partnership Coordinator Sarah Mulligan and Longford Sports Partnership Chairperson Tony Headon Picture: Shelley Corcoran