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Conor Keeley
Personal information
Full name Conor Keeley
Date of birth (1997-12-13) 13 December 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Dunboyne, County Meath, Republic of Ireland
Height 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Drogheda United
Youth career
2001–2007 St Kevin's Boys
2007–2009 Dunboyne
2009–2016 Shelbourne
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 Shelbourne 10 (0)
2017–2020 Cabinteely 73 (9)
2021–2023 Ballymena United 61 (8)
2023 Drogheda United 33 (1)
2024 St Patrick's Athletic 19 (1)
2025— Drogheda United 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:14, 17 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 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 Drogheda United. His previous clubs are Shelbourne, Cabinteely, Ballymena United and St Patrick's Athletic.

Career

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Youth career

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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] On 8 October 2024, Keeley was part of the Pats side that defeated St Mochta's 2–1 in the final of the 2023–24 Leinster Senior Cup.[31] On 17 December 2024, the club announced that his contract had been cancelled by mutual consent after he struggled for game time following the appointment of former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny in May.[32]

Return to Drogheda United

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On 17 December 2024, Keeley returned to his former club Drogheda United ahead of their 2025 season.[33][34]

International career

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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.[35]

Personal life

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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.[36] 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.[37] He also represented Meath GAA at county minor level.[2]

Career statistics

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As of match played on 8 October 2024[38]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Shelbourne 2015 LOI First Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 0[c] 0 1 0
2016 9 0 1 0 2 0 — 0[c] 0 12 0
Total 10 0 1 0 2 0 – 0 0 13 0
Cabinteely 2017 LOI First Division 26 2 2 0 0 0 — 0[c] 0 28 2
2018 15 4 0 0 0 0 — 0[c] 0 15 4
2019 21 2 1 0 0 0 — 4[d] 0 26 2
2020 11 1 1 0 0 0 — — 12 1
Total 73 9 4 0 0 0 – 4 0 81 9
Ballymena United 2020–21 NIFL Premiership 17 4 2 0 — — — 19 4
2021–22 27 2 5 0 3 0 — 0[e] 0 35 2
2022–23 17 2 1 1 1 0 — 0[e] 0 19 3
Total 61 8 8 1 4 0 – 0 0 70 9
Drogheda United 2023 LOI Premier Division 33 1 3 0 — — — 36 1
St Patrick's Athletic 2024 LOI Premier Division 19 1 0 0 — 0[f] 0 4[g] 0 23 1
Drogheda United 2025 LOI Premier Division 0 0 0 0 — 0[f] 0 0 0 0 0
Total 196 19 16 1 6 0 0 0 8 0 226 20
  1. ^ Includes FAI Cup & Irish Cup
  2. ^ Includes League of Ireland Cup & Northern Ireland League Cup
  3. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in the Leinster Senior Cup
  4. ^ Appearances in the 2019 League of Ireland Promotion Playoffs
  5. ^ a b Appearance(s) in the County Antrim Shield
  6. ^ a b Apprarance(s) in the UEFA Conference League
  7. ^ 1 appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup & 3 appearances in the Leinster Senior Cup

Honours

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Club

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St Patrick's Athletic

Individual

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References

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