Eamonn O'Keefe

Who is Eamonn O'Keefe?

Eamonn Gerard O'Keefe is an English-born Irish former professional footballer. He played as a forward, but in later years was moved into a midfield role.

He moved from non-league Stalybridge Celtic to Plymouth Argyle, and back into the non-league scene with Hyde United in 1974. The next year he moved to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Hilal, before returning to England in 1976 to sign with Mossley. His 1978–79 Northern Premier League success at the club won him a move to Everton in 1979, before he was sold on to Wigan Athletic in 1982, who were on the verge of promotion into the Third Division. He switched to Port Vale the next year, before penning a deal with Blackpool in 1985. His goals took the club out of the Fourth Division in 1984–85. In 1987 he was appointed player-manager at Cork City, where he won the Munster Senior Cup and League of Ireland Cup in 1988. He moved to Welsh club Chester City in 1989, after a spell with St Patrick's Athletic. He joined Bangor City the next year, before retiring in 1991.

An England Semi-Pro international, he also won four under-21s caps for the Republic of Ireland. He also went on to win five senior caps between 1981 and 1985, scoring one goal at full international level.