Patrick Keogh

Who was Patrick Keogh?

Patrick Keogh, also known as Pat Keogh or Paddy Keogh, was a New Zealand rugby footballer who toured with the 1888–89 New Zealand Native football team. Keogh was born in Birmingham, and moved to New Zealand when he was young. In 1884 he started playing senior club rugby for Kaikorai Rugby Football Club in Dunedin. Keogh played as half-back, and gained a reputation as a talented player before being selected to play provincially for Otago in 1887. For Otago, Keogh played three matches against the privately organised British Team that toured New Zealand and Australia in 1888; his play in these games was described as "outstanding". Keogh was regarded as the premier half-back in New Zealand in the late 1880s, and his reputation contributed to him being approached to play in Joe Warbrick's New Zealand Native football team. Keogh was the last 'pākehā' player to join the Native's team even though he wasn't actually a New Zealand native; he was born in England, but his dark complexion contributed to him being selected for the side.

Keogh was one of the most prolific scorers on the tour, and scored a record 34 tries on the British Isles leg of the tour. The tour was not without controversy for Keogh, on the Queensland leg of the tour, and playing against the state side, Keogh, along with a number of other players, were accused of "playing stiff"—intentionally playing to lose. Along with three other players, Keogh was suspended while the accusations were investigated. The Otago Rugby Union was particularly concerned about the allegations, and eventually held an inquiry of their own once the team arrived in Dunedin after returning to New Zealand. The inquiry resulted in the allegations being dismissed. Keogh had played in a total of 70 matches on tour, including 60 in the British Isles, and nine in Australia. As well as his 34 tries in the British Isles, Keogh scored ten tries in Australia. His last match for the Natives was against his own province of Otago; he stayed in Dunedin as the rest of the team moved on to Christchurch. The Natives won 11–8 and scored five tries, with the play of Keogh praised in particular.