Aidan O'Keeffe
Encyclopedia
Aidan O'Keeffe is a former Irish professional footballer who spent a number of years in the League of Ireland
.
O'Keeffe eventually got his chance at Richmond Park and was top scorer for the Inchicore club in the 2004 season where he hit the net on ten occasions.
The following year, Dublin rivals Bohemians
moved to sign O'Keeffe and he scored his first goal for the Gypsies against his former club on September 9, 2005 - six weeks after making his debut for Bohs. While Bohemians struggled in the 2006 campaign, O'Keeffe was one of their few shining lights and finished the campaign as their top scorer.
He was one of a number of Bohs' players who were out of contract at the end of that campaign and, amid the uncertainty, big spending Drogheda United
swooped to bring O'Keeffe to the County Louth club. In 2007, O'Keeffe was a prominent member of the Drogheda squad which stormed to the first league title in their club's history although injury problems curtailed his chances of securing a regular starting role. Instead, he thrived as a super sub and popped off the bench to score a crucial goal for Drogheda in the second minute of injury time against UCD in July to secure a 1-0 win which manager Paul Doolin cited as an important win for the Boynesiders when they picked up the title that November. O'Keeffe also gained experience in the European field by playing in UEFA Cup matches against Libertas of San Marino and Helsingborgs of Sweden.
Injury problems returned to haunt O'Keeffe as Drogheda defended their crown the following season and, frustrated by the lack of opportunities, he was allowed join Bray Wanderers for the conclusion of that campaign. He made an instant impact by scoring twice against Cobh Ramblers to help the County Wicklow side secure their Premier League status.
O'Keeffe retired from the professional game in November of 2008 to pursue a legal career and move to Canada to be with his girlfriend Maria Hanzel Velasco.
On moving to Canada, O'Keeffe played amateur football for Toronto Celtic before joining Semi-Professional club, Hamilton Croatia for the 2010 season.
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
.
Career
Dublin born Aidan O'Keeffe is a winger or forward who spent his early schoolboy career with Granada in the South Dublin League before moving to Leicester Celtic where he won an All Ireland U-15 Cup. He subsequently moved onto the books of St Patricks Athletic and had spells on loan with Kilkenny City F.C. and Dublin City F.C.Dublin City F.C.
Dublin City Football Club was an Irish association football club that played in the League of Ireland. They were formed in 1999 after a split within Home Farm Everton and they originally played as Home Farm Fingal before changing their name for the 2001–02 season...
O'Keeffe eventually got his chance at Richmond Park and was top scorer for the Inchicore club in the 2004 season where he hit the net on ten occasions.
The following year, Dublin rivals Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
moved to sign O'Keeffe and he scored his first goal for the Gypsies against his former club on September 9, 2005 - six weeks after making his debut for Bohs. While Bohemians struggled in the 2006 campaign, O'Keeffe was one of their few shining lights and finished the campaign as their top scorer.
He was one of a number of Bohs' players who were out of contract at the end of that campaign and, amid the uncertainty, big spending Drogheda United
Drogheda United
Drogheda United Football Club is an Irish football club currently playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club hails from Drogheda, Ireland and, since 1979, plays its home matches at Hunky Dorys Park....
swooped to bring O'Keeffe to the County Louth club. In 2007, O'Keeffe was a prominent member of the Drogheda squad which stormed to the first league title in their club's history although injury problems curtailed his chances of securing a regular starting role. Instead, he thrived as a super sub and popped off the bench to score a crucial goal for Drogheda in the second minute of injury time against UCD in July to secure a 1-0 win which manager Paul Doolin cited as an important win for the Boynesiders when they picked up the title that November. O'Keeffe also gained experience in the European field by playing in UEFA Cup matches against Libertas of San Marino and Helsingborgs of Sweden.
Injury problems returned to haunt O'Keeffe as Drogheda defended their crown the following season and, frustrated by the lack of opportunities, he was allowed join Bray Wanderers for the conclusion of that campaign. He made an instant impact by scoring twice against Cobh Ramblers to help the County Wicklow side secure their Premier League status.
O'Keeffe retired from the professional game in November of 2008 to pursue a legal career and move to Canada to be with his girlfriend Maria Hanzel Velasco.
On moving to Canada, O'Keeffe played amateur football for Toronto Celtic before joining Semi-Professional club, Hamilton Croatia for the 2010 season.
Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
: 1- Drogheda United - 2007
- Setanta Cup: 1
- Drogheda United - 2007