Conor Keeley Explained

Conor Keeley
Full Name:Conor Keeley
Birth Date:1997 12, df=y
Birth Place:Dunboyne, County Meath, Republic of Ireland
Height:1.95m
Position:Defender
Currentclub:St Patrick's Athletic
Clubnumber:22
Youthyears1:2001–2007
Youthclubs1:St Kevin's Boys
Youthyears2:2007–2009
Youthclubs2:Dunboyne
Youthyears3:2009–2016
Youthclubs3:Shelbourne
Years1:2015–2016
Clubs1:Shelbourne
Caps1:10
Goals1:0
Years2:2017–2020
Clubs2:Cabinteely
Caps2:73
Goals2:9
Years3:2021–2023
Clubs3:Ballymena United
Caps3:61
Goals3:8
Years4:2023
Clubs4:Drogheda United
Caps4:33
Goals4:1
Years5:2024–
Caps5:19
Goals5:1
Club-Update:22:59, 11 August 2024 (UTC)
Ntupdate:22:55, 15 December 2023 (UTC)

Conor Keeley (born 13 December 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic. His previous clubs are Shelbourne, Cabinteely, Ballymena United and Drogheda United.

Career

Youth career

A native of Dunboyne, County Meath, Keeley began playing with top Dublin academy St Kevin's Boys, where he played from under-5s level to under 10's, before returning to his local side Dunboyne AFC for two years.[1] He then moved on to the academy of League of Ireland club Shelbourne, where he won an under-13 SFAI Cup medal in his first season with the club.[2]

Shelbourne

Keeley made his senior debut for Shelbourne on 17 October 2015, in a 2–0 win over Cobh Ramblers in the final game of the season.[3] The 2016 season saw him struggle for appearances, making just 12 in all competitions resulting in him departing the club in search of more first team opportunities.[4]

Cabinteely

Keeley signed for fellow League of Ireland First Division side Cabinteely ahead of the 2017 season and on 25 March 2017, he scored his first goal in senior football, in a 4–1 win over Cobh Ramblers.[5] On 26 May 2017, he scored against his old side Shelbourne in a 4–1 win at Tolka Park.[6] The 2019 season saw Keeley help the club to a 4th place playoff, qualifying them for the Promotion Playoffs, in which they defeated Longford Town on penalties in the first stage, which Keeley stated was the best moment of his career up to that point.[7] He signed a new one-year contract with the club in January 2020.[8] He departed the club at the end of the 2020 season, following 81 appearances and 9 goals in all competitions during his 4 seasons with the club.[9]

Ballymena United

On 12 January 2021, Keeley signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with NIFL Premiership club Ballymena United.[10] [11] He scored his first goals for the club on 2–1 March 2021, scoring both goals in a 2–1 win at home to Linfield.[12] On 10 December 2021, he scored in a 2–1 win at home to Larne.[13] Keeley captained the side for the first time on 15 January 2022, in a 1–0 defeat away to Linfield.[14] Keeley signed a new two-year contract with the club in July 2022.[15] Keeley featured in all 5 of the club's games in their 2021–22 Irish Cup run, including the Final, as his side were defeated 2–1 by Crusaders at Windsor Park via a 121st-minute goal.[16] On 31 December 2022, it was announced that the club had 'reluctantly' agreed to put Keeley on the transfer list to allow him his wish to move back closer to home.[17] On 7 January 2023, he scored in what turned out to be his final appearance for the club, as they defeated Carrick Rangers on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the Irish Cup.[18] He made a total of 70 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 9 goals.[19]

Drogheda United

He signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Drogheda United for an undisclosed fee on 10 January 2023.[20] [21] His first goal for the club came on 14 July 2023, in a 3–1 win away to UCD at the UCD Bowl.[22] Keeley's performances drew interest from several clubs, including EFL League Two side Notts County, whom Drogheda rejected several bids for Keeley from in August 2023.[23] [24] He was voted Drogheda United Supporters Player of the Year for his performances in 2023.[25]

St Patrick's Athletic

On 15 December 2023, it was announced that Keeley had signed a multi-year contract with St Patrick's Athletic.[26] [27] [28] [29] His first goal for the club came on 22 April 2024, volleying home a Brandon Kavanagh free-kick away to Derry City.[30]

International career

Keeley featured for the Republic of Ireland Universities team in June 2018 in a 2–1 win over the second ranked team in the world at the time, France.[31]

Personal life

Keeley is the brother of fellow professional footballer Josh Keeley, who is a goalkeeper that began his career at St Patrick's Athletic, before moving on to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2022.[32] Their father Brendan Keeley was also a goalkeeper, who played for NIFL Premiership club Newry City among others.[2] As a teenager Keeley also played Gaelic football and in May 2014 he scored 2–4 for St Peters Dunboyne in their 3–7 to 2–5 victory over Summerhill as they won the MFL Div 1 title.[33] He also represented Meath GAA at county minor level.[2]

Career statistics

[34]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Shelbourne2015LOI First Division1000000010
201690102000120
Total100102000130
Cabinteely2017LOI First Division262200000282
2018154000000154
2019212100040262
20201111000121
Total739400040819
Ballymena United2020–21NIFL Premiership17420194
2021–22272503000352
2022–23172111000193
Total618814000709
Drogheda United2023LOI Premier Division33130361
St Patrick's Athletic2024LOI Premier Division191000020211
Total1961916160006022420

Honours

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Irish Colleges and Universities star Conor Keeley: 'To represent my country against one of the best university teams in the world is fantastic'. Brendan. Graham. extratime.com.
  2. Web site: Dunboyne man Keeley targets success with Ballymena. January 14, 2021. Meath Chronicle.
  3. Web site: League Report: Shelbourne 2 - 0 Cobh Ramblers. extratime.com.
  4. Web site: I’m now in a better place after hard times, says Ballymena United ace Conor Keeley. May 5, 2022. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  5. Web site: League Report: Cabinteely 4 - 1 Cobh Ramblers. extratime.com.
  6. Web site: League Report: Shelbourne 1 - 4 Cabinteely FC. extratime.com.
  7. Web site: Dramatic win over Longford Town was best moment of Conor Keeley's career. October 18, 2019. Irish Mirror.
  8. Web site: Boost for Cabinteely as Conor Keeley re-signs for 2020. Paul. Corcoran. extratime.com.
  9. Web site: Conor Keeley set to leave Cabinteely. Andrew. Dempsey. extratime.com.
  10. Web site: Ballymena sign central defender Keeley. January 12, 2021. BBC Sport.
  11. Web site: Conor Keeley signs for Ballymena United. Shaun. Oneill. www.ballymenaguardian.co.uk.
  12. Web site: KEELEY AT THE DOUBLE FOR SKY BLUES. NI Football League.
  13. Web site: KEELEY AND McELROY TURN IT AROUND FOR THE SKY BLUES. NI Football League.
  14. Web site: Ballymena defender proud to wear armband after losing grandfather. Darren. Fullerton. January 16, 2022. Belfast Live.
  15. Web site: Conor Keeley commits to Ballymena United with new deal.
  16. Web site: McMurray's last-gasp stunner wins Irish Cup for Crusaders. www.bbc.com.
  17. Web site: Ballymena United ‘reluctantly’ puts Conor Keeley on transfer list after defender expresses wish to be closer to home. December 31, 2022. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  18. Web site: Goal was fitting way for Conor Keeley to bow out, says Ballymena boss David Jeffrey. January 9, 2023. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  19. Web site: Republic of Ireland - C. Keeley - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. int.soccerway.com.
  20. Web site: Conor Keeley signs for Drogheda United. January 9, 2023.
  21. Web site: Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty delighted to capture ‘matured’ defender Conor Keeley. January 10, 2023. Independent.ie.
  22. Web site: Drogheda cruise to victory over UCD. Paul. Buttner. July 14, 2023. Irish Examiner.
  23. Web site: Drogheda United reject multiple bids for Conor Keeley from Notts County. Oisin. Doherty. August 29, 2023. Irish Mirror.
  24. Web site: Former Ballymena United defender linked to League Two switch. Steven Crawford. by Oisin Doherty. August 29, 2023. Belfast Live.
  25. Web site: Drogheda United Fans' Player of the Year 2023, Conor Keeley. 11 November 2023.
  26. Web site: Conor Keeley Signs For The Saints. www.stpatsfc.com.
  27. Web site: Conor Keeley ‘can’t wait’ for full-time football as he signs for St Patrick’s Athletic. December 15, 2023. Independent.ie.
  28. Web site: FAI Cup winners St Pat's raid rivals for towering defender. Paul. O'Hehir. December 15, 2023. Irish Mirror.
  29. Web site: St Pat's snap up towering defender Conor Keeley. December 15, 2023. www.rte.ie.
  30. Web site: Derry City: Candystripes up to third after St Pat's Athletic win. April 22, 2024. BBC Sport.
  31. Web site: Conor Keeley:'We didn't let late French tackles affect our performance - we stood up and showed no fear'. Brendan. Graham. extratime.com.
  32. Web site: Pro deal with Pat’s targets third level education for Keeley. January 13, 2021. Meath Chronicle.
  33. Web site: Dunboyne win minor title. May 21, 2014. Meath Chronicle.
  34. Web site: Republic of Ireland - C. Keeley - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. ie.soccerway.com.