Mayo manager Stephen Rochford has voiced his opinion regarding an anti-Lee Keegan "agenda" in the build-up to Saturday's All-Ireland final replay defeat to Dublin.
After comments from former Dublin players about Keegan's approach to defending for Mayo, many on social media felt that there was an attempt to put focus on the player and draw referees' attention to him.
Keegan, who scored a goal for Mayo in the first-half against Dublin, ultimately received a black card for a foul on Dublin forward Diarmuid Connolly.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner about his feelings regarding the scrutiny around Keegan in the build-up to the replay, Rochford felt there was an "agenda" against his player.
"Lee Keegan is one of the most mentally tough, honest-to-God football guys I have ever met. I don’t think [all the scrutiny] knocked a breeze out of him, but I am under no illusions that there was an agenda out there," he said.
"It is unfortunate that former players would feel it necessary to get into that. Guys that haven’t always been whiter than white but, look, that’s for them to deal with their own consciences."
