Galway United sign Conor O'Keeffe

Eamon Deacy Park

Galway United Credit: Hugh de Paor (ETPhotos)

Galway United have announced the signing of 27-year-old full-back Conor O’Keeffe. The Mullingar native moves to Eamonn Deacy Park after a brief spell at Irish League side Newry City.

The former Wexford defender spent four years in New Zealand for Dunedin based Southern United, where he went on to captain that side. He will now play his football with the Tribesmen for the forthcoming League of Ireland season.

"I’m delighted to sign for Galway United. Once I had a chat with John (Caulfield) and listened to his vision for the club, it was a no-brainer. I came back home looking for full time football and this is the ideal environment for me," O'Keeffe told the club's website.

“It’s about getting involved in the right setup and when you look at the facilities here, Galway United should be in the Premier Division, and that’s the plan for next season, to get the club back where it belongs.

“John is a manager with a proven track record. I want to win trophies, obviously trying to win the First Division is the main objective next year. The prospect of trying to kick this club on is the really attractive part of signing for Galway United.

“I feel the club is a bit of a sleeping giant in Irish football. Galway is a great city, with a proper fan base and a fantastic ground. With the right group of players, led by the right manager, I believe it can be more than just a team participating in the Premier Division.

"That should be the ambition. I’m delighted to be a part of trying to achieve that.”

Manager John Caulfield was keen to sign the accomplished right back for his ever growing squad.

“We’re looking to bring in some experienced players and Conor fits the bill perfectly," Caulfield told the club's website.

“Conor can play anywhere across the back four. He’s 27, experienced, has real captaincy qualities and most importantly, he’s bought into what we’re doing here.



“If you look at our squad last season, a lot of the players that we have retained are at a great age, but we lost one of our most experienced players when Kevin Farragher left. We had Shane Duggan, Vinny Faherty and Marc Ludden, but we need to bring in more players with experience for next season.

“Conor has played games in the top flight here, he’s played a lot of games in New Zealand, and the fact that he was captain there shows the type of player and character he is.”

 

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