Ruairi Keating: ‘I want to repay the faith that St Pat’s have shown in me’

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Ruairi Keating scored twice against UCD in a recent Leinster Senior Cup game Credit: Matthew Lysaght (ETPhotos)

New St Patrick’s Athletic recruit Ruairi Keating is hoping that his move to Richmond Park can yield trophies and medals - but he is keen to repay their faith in him.

Keating, 28, joined the Saints from Cork City after netting 15 goals last season with the Leesiders. 

And after already making his mark in pre-season with St Pat’s by scoring four goals in three games, he looks primed to build on that tally. 

“It’s nice to score goals in a new team with new players,” he told extratime.com ahead of this evening’s President’s Cup clash with Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium. 

“That's my job and I'm here to score goals. I'm hoping that I can continue. 

“Pre-season has been really tough but it's been really enjoyable. It's what I've needed, just to refocus again and get going. 

“I've been delighted to be able to chip in and help the team any way I can and hopefully I can continue this season.”

Keating’s move to the capital has seen him link up with the FAI Cup holders, who now have grand ambitions in the league, cup and Europe.

The striker is keen to help them realise those.

“I'm really enjoying my time at the club,” he added. 



“We have a great group of people, with players, staff and people behind the scenes. It's a great football club and I'm looking forward to the season ahead. 

“I always know the size of the football club, but you don’t realise how big it is until you get in somewhere. All I want to do is repay the faith that they have shown in me and score goals. 

“Please God, we can be successful at the end of the season.”

And Keating also admitted that playing against the Saints last season - especially in an FAI Cup semi-final - whetted his appetite to join Jon Daly’s men.

“They beat us in the semi-final of the FAI Cup and things like that… When you are so close and you get pipped at the final hurdle, a cup final day out is what everybody wants,” he said. 



“I didn't want that to be a flash in the pan at the time. I thought, I'd love to do that every year. And then obviously when I heard of the interest and that was my first thought. 

“I want to play in Europe and try to qualify for group stages and challenge for leagues and cups.  

“That's exactly what I want to do at this stage of my career.”

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