Stephen O'Keeffe

Stephen O'Keeffe (born 29 April 1991) is an Irish hurler who plays for Waterford Senior Championship club Ballygunner and at inter-county level with the Waterford senior hurling team. He usually lines out as a goalkeeper. He was made famous through the Justice 4 SOK campaign initiated by Brendan Hogan in recognition of his incredible goalkeeping talents. He had his critics including Brian Ring but has worked through adversity to show his true splender.

Stephen O'Keeffe
Personal information
Irish name Stiofán Ó Cuív
Sport Hurling
Position Goalkeeper
Born (1991-04-29) 29 April 1991
Waterford, Ireland
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Occupation Bank official
Club(s)
Years Club
2009-present
 Ballygunner
Club titles
Waterford titles 8
Munster titles 1
Colleges(s)
Years College
2010-2014
 Waterford Institute of Technology
College titles
Fitzgibbon titles 1
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
2011-present
 Waterford 31 (0-00)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 0
All-Irelands 0
NHL 1
All Stars 1
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 15:07, 15 June 2019.

Playing career

De La Salle College

O'Keeffe first came to prominence as a hurler with De La Salle College in Waterford. He played in every grade before eventually joining the college's senior team. On 11 March 2007, he won a Harty Cup medal after lining out in goal for De La Salle's 2-07 to 0-11 defeat of St. Flannan's College.[1] O'Keeffe retained his position in goal when De La Salle faced Kilkenny CBS in the All-Ireland final on 22 April 2007. He ended the game with a winners' medal following the 0-13 to 1-09 victory.[2]

On 8 March 2008, O'Keeffe won a second successive Harty Cup medal following a 1-11 to 0-07 defeat of Thurles CBS in the final.[3] On 19 April 2008, he won a second successive All-Ireland medal following De La Salle's 2-09 to 2-08 defeat of Thurles CBS in a final replay.[4]

Waterford Institute of Technology

O'Keeffe studied at the Waterford Institute of Technology and joined the senior hurling team in his second year at the institute. On 1 March 2014, he lined out in goal when Waterford IT defeated the Cork Institute of Technology by 0-17 to 0-12 to win the Fitzgibbon Cup.[5]

Ballygunner

Minor

O'Keeffe joined the Ballygunner club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels. On 12 November 2006, he was just 15-years-old when he lined out in goal when Ballygunner defeated Cappoquin by 2-12 to 2-05 to win the Waterford Minor Championship title.

On 30 September 2007, O'Keeffe lined out in goal in a second successive Waterford Minor Championship final. A 3-24 to 2-09 defeat of Dungarvan secured a second successive winners' medal.

Three titles in-a-row proved beyond the Ballygunner minor team, however, on 8 November 2009 Ballygunner lined out in a third final in four seasons. O'Keeffe collected a third winners' medal after a 2-17 to 0-10 defeat of Dunhill-Fenor.

Senior

On 11 October 2009, O'Keeffe was just 18-years-old when he lined out in goal in his first Waterford Senior Championship final. Lismore were the opponents, however, the game ended in a 4-12 to 2-18 draw.[6] The replay a week later saw O'Keeffe claim his first winners' medal following a 1-17 to 0-19 victory.[7] On 29 November 2009, he was in goal when Ballygunner suffered a 2-11 to 0-09 defeat by Newtownshandrum in the Munster final.[8]

O'Keeffe lined out in his second Waterford Senior Championship final on 24 October 2010, with Ballygunner hoping to retain the title for the first time in 12 years. He ended on the losing side following a 3-13 to 1-11 defeat by De La Salle.[9]

Ballygunner qualified for a third successive Waterford Senior Championship final on 16 October 2011, with O'Keeffe lining out in goal once again. He collected a second winners' medal following a 1-19 to 0-06 defeat of Tallow.[10]

Four final appearances in succession proved beyond Ballygunner, however, the club reached a fourth final in five seasons on 13 October 2013. O'Keeffe ended on the losing side for the second time in his career following a 3-16 to 3-13 defeat by first-time champions Passage.[11]

O'Keeffe lined out in goal in a fifth Waterford Senior Championship final on 5 October 2014. Ballygunner defeated Mount Sion by 2-16 to 0-09, with O'Keeffe collecting a third winners' medal.[12]

On 18 October 2015, O'Keeffe won a fourth Waterford Senior Championship medal following a 0-16 to 0-12 defeat of Tallow in the final.[13] He later lined out in a second Munster final on 19 November 2015. O'Keeffe ended the game on the losing following a 2-18 to 2-11 defeat by Na Piarsaigh.[14]

On 23 October 2016, O'Keeffe lined out in a fourth successive Waterford Championship final and his seventh overall. He collected a fifth winners' medal at the end of the game after a 4-20 to 1-12 defeat of Passage.[15]

On 22 October 2017, O'Keeffe won a sixth Waterford Senior Championship medal in goal when Ballygunner defeated De La Salle by 2-18 to 0-16 in the final.[16] On 19 November 2017, he lined out in a third Munster final, however, he ended on the losing side once again following a 3-15 to 2-10 defeat by Na Piarsaigh.[17]

O'Keeffe won a seventh Waterford Senior Championship title on 7 October 2018 when Ballygunner defeated Abbeyside by 2-19 to 0-13 to secure a fifth successive title.[18] He was again in goal on 18 November when Ballygunner defeated Na Piarsaigh by 2-14 to 2-08 to win the Munster Championship.[19]

On 13 October 2019, O'Keeffe was again in goal when Ballygunner faced De La Salle in the Waterford Senior Championship final. He ended the game on the winning side and collected an eighth winners' medal following the 1-24 to 1-15 victory.[20]

Waterford

Minor and under-21

O'Keeffe first lined out for Waterford as a member of the minor team during the 2008 Munster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 25 June 2008 when he lined out in goal in a 4-13 to 1-06 defeat by Cork.[21]

O'Keeffe was also eligible for the minor grade in 2009. He was in goal when Waterford qualified for a Munster final-meeting with Tipperary on 12 July 2009. He collected a Munster Championship medal following the 0-18 to 1-13 victory.[22]

O'Keeffe joined the Waterford under-21 team in advance of the 2010 Munster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 3 June 2010 in a 1-16 to 1-03 defeat by Cork.[23]

O'Keeffe retained his status as first-choice goalkeeper with the Waterford under-21 for the 2011 Munster Championship. He made his only appearance for the team on 1 June 2011 when he lined out in goal in a 4-12 to 1-16 defeat by Tipperary.[24]

On 19 July 2012, O'Keeffe made his last appearance for the Waterford under-21 team. He once again lined out in goal in a 2-22 to 0-09 defeat by Clare in the Munster Championship.[25]

Senior

O'Keeffe was added to the Waterford senior panel prior to the start of the 2011 National League. He made his first appearance for the team on 20 February 2011 when he lined out in goal in a 1-11 to 0-12 defeat of Wexford. O'Keeffe later served as sub-goalkeeper to Clinton Hennessy during the 2011 Munster Championship.

On 17 June 2012, O'Keeffe made his Munster Championship debut in a 2-17 to 1-18 defeat of Clare.[26] On 15 July 2012, he was again in goal when Waterford suffered a 2-17 to 0-16 defeat by Tipperary in the Munster final.[27]

On 3 May 2015, O'Keeffe won a National League medal following Waterford's 1-24 to 0-17 defeat of Cork in the final.[28] On 12 July 2015, he was also in goal when Waterford were beaten for the fourth time in six seasons by Tipperary in the Munster final.[29]

On 1 May 2016, O'Keeffe was in goal when Waterford drew 0-22 apiece with Clare in the National League final.[30] He retained his position for the replay, which Waterford lost by 1-23 to 2-19.[31] On 10 July 2016, O'Keeffe lost the third Munster final of his career when Waterford suffered a 5-19 to 0-13 defeat by Tipperary.[32]

On 3 September 2017, O'Keeffe lined out in the 2017 All-Ireland final. He kept a clean sheet but ended the game on the losing side following a 0-26 to 2-17 victory for Galway.[33] O'Keeffe ended the season by winning an GAA/GPA All-Star award.[34]

On 31 March 2019, O'Keeffe was in goal when Waterford faced Limerick in the National League final. He ended the game on the losing side following a 1-24 to 0-19 defeat.[35]

Career statistics
As of match played 8 June 2019.
Team Year National League Munster All-Ireland Total
DivisionAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScore
Waterford 2011 Division 1 20-0000-0000-0020-00
2012 Division 1A 20-0020-0010-0050-00
2013 30-0100-0030-0060-01
2014 40-0020-0020-0080-00
2015 Division 1B 60-0020-0020-00100-00
2016 Division 1A 80-0020-0030-00130-00
2017 20-0010-0050-0080-00
2018 30-0030-00—60-00
2019 Division 1B 40-0030-00—70-00
Total 340-01150-00160-00650-01

Honours
De La Salle College
Waterford Institute of Technology
Ballygunner
Waterford
Awards
  • All-Stars (1): 2017
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References
  1. "De La Salle Power to Harty title". Irish Independent. 12 March 2007. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  2. "Power base sees De La Salle land first title". Irish Independent. 23 April 2007. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  3. "McGrath puts Harty joy down to team spirit". Irish Independent. 10 March 2008. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  4. "De La Salle hold their nerve". Irish Examiner. 21 April 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  5. Cormican, Eoghan (3 March 2014). "Magnificent Waterford IT cup kings again". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  6. "Waterford SHC: Flynn rescues replay for Ballygunner". Hogan Stand. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  7. "Mighty Moloney swings it". The Munster Express. 20 October 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  8. Moynihan, Michael (30 November 2009). "Resolute Newtown turn tide". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  9. "Mullane magic helps shoot down 'Gunner". Irish Independent. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  10. "Waterford SHC: Ballygunner stroll to 12th title". Hogan Stand. 17 October 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  11. "Passage dream comes true". Irish Examiner. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  12. Moynihan, Michael (6 October 2014). "Redemption for gallant Gunners". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  13. "Waterford SHC final: Gunners grind out victory". Hogan Stand. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  14. Keys, Colm (19 November 2015). "Late Na Piarsaigh surge sweeps aside Ballygunner in scrappy Munster final". Irish Independent. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  15. Fogarty, John (24 October 2016). "Pauric Mahony's magic drives Ballygunner as Pat Flynn is honoured". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  16. McCarthy, Tomás (22 October 2017). "Ballygunner capture historic fourth title in a row after dominating eastern rivals". The 42. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  17. Keys, Colm (19 November 2017). "Late Na Piarsaigh surge sweeps aside Ballygunner in scrappy Munster final". The 42. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  18. McCarthy, Tomás (7 October 2018). "Deise star Pauric Mahony fires over 0-13 to mastermind five-in-a-row for Gunners". The 42. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  19. Moynihan, Michael (18 November 2018). "Ballygunner win first Munster hurling club title since 2001". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  20. McCarthy, Tomás (13 October 2019). "Hutchinson stars as Munster hurling champs complete 6-in-a-row in Waterford". The 42. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  21. "Munster MHC: Rebels put fancied Waterford to the sword". Hogan Stand. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  22. Cahill, Jackie (13 July 2009). "Rising star O'Neill shines as Deise end 17-year wait". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  23. "Rebels off to a flier as Déise get a roasting". Irish Examiner. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  24. Cahill, Jackie (2 June 2011). "Deise fume at red card as O'Neill seals Tipp's place in semi-finals". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  25. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (20 July 2012). "Irresistible Banner rout Déise to set up final date with Tipp". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  26. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (18 June 2012). "Dogged Déise shade a gripper". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  27. "Tipperary too strong for plucky Waterford". Irish Examiner. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  28. O'Toole, Fintan (3 May 2015). "Waterford crowned hurling league champions with emphatic win over Cork". The 42. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  29. McGoldrick, Seán (6 March 2012). "Tipperary claim Munster hurling title with tight win over Waterford". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  30. McGoldrick, Seán (1 May 2016). "Incredible drama as Waterford force league final replay after monster 70m free". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  31. O'Toole, Fintan (8 May 2016). "Kelly the scoring hero as Clare claim dramatic league final win over Waterford". The 42. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  32. Breheny, Martin (11 July 2016). "Tipp torrents wash Deise hopes away". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  33. McGoldrick, Seán (3 September 2017). "Galway end All Ireland famine with tight win over Waterford at Croke Park". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  34. Duffy, Emma (2 November 2017). "7 from Galway and 5 from Waterford - the 2017 All-Star hurling team". The 42. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  35. O'Toole, Fintan (31 March 2019). "Limerick end 22-year with for league honours in style with final win over Waterford". The 42. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
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