Keighran reacts to League Leaders' Shield win

Wigan Warriors’ Adam Keighran hailed the manner in which his side secured the League Leaders’ Shield after rounding off the regular season with an emphatic 50-12 victory over Catalans Dragons. 

Matt Peet’s side ran in nine tries at The Brick Community Stadium to finish top of the Betfred Super League table and lift the Shield for the third time in four seasons.

Keighran was among Friday’s try scorers and was named Betfred Player of the Match as the Warriors celebrated another piece of silverware:

“It feels really good,” said Keighran. “It was good to finish like that. 

“I think the scoreboard’s obviously nice, but I think it’s the way we did it. We spoke about how we want to obviously go into the Play-Offs with a bit of momentum, and I think we’re building that really nicely at the moment.” 

The League Leaders’ Shield keeps Wigan’s hopes of a treble alive, having already lifted the Betfred Challenge Cup this season.

Their top two finish also earns them a week off before a home Play-Off semi-final, leaving the Warriors just one victory away from another trip to Old Trafford. 

Despite the convincing nature of the win, Keighran believes there is still more to come from Wigan when the Play-Offs begin:

“I wouldn’t say perfect, but it was good,” he said. “I think it’s good when you’ve still got things to fix up. And that’s the stuff we’ll talk about next week and leading into the Play-Offs.

“It’s doing those little things right and nailing your role as an individual. I think that was the biggest thing we spoke about, nailing these roles. And I think most of the boys did that tonight.” 

The evening was also special for captain Liam Farrell, who recently announced his retirement at the end of the 2026 season.

The Wigan legend marked the occasion with a try before lifting the Shield in front of his home supporters. 

Paying tribute to his skipper, Keighran said: “It’s such a credit to Faz. The career he’s had, the bloke he is, he’s unbelievable with the leadership that he’s got. 

“He’s just such a genuine bloke. And I’m glad we can get a result like this, and he can go out and lift this Shield at least tonight. 

“He deserves nothing but that. No doubt he’ll be missed.” 

The Warriors and second-placed Leeds Rhinos have secured byes through the first round of the Play-Offs meaning they are both just 80 minutes away from the Grand Final on October 3. 

The Play-Offs get underway with Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards in Eliminator 1 on Friday September 18 (KO 8pm) followed by Warrington Wolves v Hull KR in Eliminator 2 on Saturday September 19 (KO 530pm).

Rhinos, who suffered a shock 18-12 home loss to Hull tonight, host the highest-ranked Eliminator loser in Semi-Final 1 on Friday September 25 (KO 8pm) before Warriors entertain the lowest-ranked Eliminator in Semi-Final 2 on Saturday September 26 (KO 530pm).