Aidan O'Keeffe (born March 22, 1982) is a former Irish footballer who played as a midfielder.
Club career
Ireland
O'Keeffe began his career with St Patrick's Athletic's youth system.[1][2] In 2002, he joined the senior team and was loaned to Kilkenny City in the League of Ireland First Division.[3][4] The following season, St. Patrick loaned O'Keeffe to Dublin City for the first portion of the 2003 season.[5] St. Patrick recalled O'Keeffe for the remainder of the 2003 season, and he debuted in the League of Ireland Premier Division.[6] St. Patrick's defeated Longford Town for the League of Ireland Cup throughout the season.[7]
He re-signed with St. Patrick's for the 2004 season and finished the campaign as the club's top goal scorer.[8][9] O'Keeffe returned to play with St. Patrick's for the 2004 season but was transferred to league rivals Bohemian during the summer transfer market.[9] His tenure with the Bohemians lasted for two seasons, from 2005 to 2006.[3][10] In 2007, O'Keeffe signed with Drogheda United, where he helped the club win the league title.[11][12] He participated in the 2007–08 UEFA Cup and played against AC Libertas and Helsingborgs IF.[13] O'Keeffe also assisted the club in securing the 2007 Setanta Sports Cup, though he would miss the final after sustaining an injury.[14][15]
In 2008, he returned to Drogheda for his final season with the club.[16][17] O'Keeffe was loaned for the remainder of the season to Bray Wanderers.[18] After the 2008 season concluded, he became a free agent.[19]
Canada
O'Keeffe ventured abroad to Canada in 2009 and played with the local side, the Toronto Celtic.[3]
The following season, he joined Hamilton Croatia to compete in the Canadian Soccer League's first division.[20] He recorded his first goal for the club on May 15, 2010, against TFC Academy.[20] O'Keeffe recorded his first goal for the club on June 28, 2010, against St. Catharines Wolves.[21][22] He would finish the campaign as the club's top goal scorer with 12 goals.[23] He also helped the club secure a playoff berth by finishing third in the standings, just two points shy from winning the divisional title.[23] In the opening round of the playoffs, Hamilton defeated TFC Academy in a two-game series.[24] O'Keeffe would contribute a goal in the semifinal round, where Hamilton advanced to the finals by defeating Toronto Croatia.[25] In the championship finals, Brantford Galaxy defeated Hamilton by a score of 3-0.[26]
Honors
Drogheda United
Hamilton Croatia
- CSL Championship runner-up: 2010[26]
St. Patrick's Athletics
- League of Ireland Cup: 2003[7]
References
- ^ "Past Players". Leicester Celtic Football Club. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ^ "Kelly's eye remains fixed on starting role". The Herald. 5 August 2002.
- ^ a b c "Aidan O'Keefe - The Home of Irish Football". www.extratime.com. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ^ "Premier Division Transfer Guide". The Herald. 22 February 2003.
- ^ "Late, late Beckett 'beauty' cheers up Candy stripes". The Herald. 16 March 2003.
- ^ Kelly, David (25 November 2003). "Saints put Hoops in a spin". Irish Independent.
- ^ a b McDermott, Gerry (26 August 2003). "Saints ride luck as "Town" blow penalty lifeline". Irish Independent.
- ^ Cavaroli, Marcus (21 May 2004). "Midfield Maestros on song for United". Drogheda Independent.
- ^ a b "O'Keeffe must bide his time with Bohs". The Herald. 22 July 2005.
- ^ "Start to season by Farrelly's Bohs". The Herald. 31 March 2006.
- ^ McDonnell, Daniel (7 March 2007). "Foundations facing". Irish Independent.
- ^ a b Fitzmaurice, Aidan (13 November 2007). "Success is a labour of love for Drogheda star Shelley". The Herald.
- ^ "Doolin: Stubs' input could prove crucial". The Herald. 16 August 2007.
- ^ a b McCreevy, Alex (13 May 2007). "Vilmunen the hero". Sunday Independent.
- ^ "Shut Up Shop!". The Herald. 27 April 2007.
- ^ "O'Keeffe stakes a claim for Drogs". The Herald. 12 April 2008.
- ^ Fitzmaurice, Aidan (4 March 2008). "Doolin copes with injuries". The Herald.
- ^ "Drogheda United vs Bray Wanderers". Irish Independent. 1 August 2008.
- ^ "Premier Division Transfers". Evening Herald. 24 January 2009.
- ^ a b "Hamilton Croatia Win Opener". The Croatian Sports and Community Centre of Hamilton, Inc. 16 May 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ^ Perin, Frank (29 June 2010). "O'Keefe hat-trick skins Wolves". The Croatian Sports and Community Centre of Hamilton, Inc. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ^ "Hamilton Slaughters Wolves". The Hamilton Spectator. 28 June 2010. pp. SP14.
- ^ a b Moko, Larry (29 October 2010). "Croatia rides nine-game streak to CSL final". The Hamilton Spectator. pp. SP9.
- ^ Smiley, Brian (19 October 2010). "Galaxy's dream season continues". Brantford Expositor. pp. B1.
- ^ "Hamilton Croatia advances to CSL final with 2-0 win over Toronto Croatia". The Canadian Press. 24 October 2010.
- ^ a b "Fazlagic scores twice, Brantford beats Hamilton Croatia 3-0 for CSL title". The Canadian Press. 31 October 2010.
External links
- Aidan O'Keeffe at Soccerway
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