Ruairí Keating

Ruairí Thomas Keating (born 16 July 1995) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for League of Ireland Premier Division club Cork City. His previous clubs are Sligo Rovers, Finn Harps, Galway United, Torquay United and Gateshead.

Ruairí Keating
Personal information
Full name Ruairí Thomas Keating
Date of birth (1995-07-16) 16 July 1995
Place of birth Dublin, Republic of Ireland[1][2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Cork City
Number 9
Youth career
Westport United
2013–2014 Sligo Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 Sligo Rovers 21 (1)
2014 → Finn Harps (loan) 12 (5)
2015 → Finn Harps (loan) 10 (5)
2016 Galway United 14 (2)
2016 Finn Harps 11 (1)
2017–2020 Torquay United 107 (14)
2020 Gateshead 9 (2)
2021 Galway United 25 (9)
2022– Cork City 59 (26)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:25, 24 October 2023 (UTC)

Career

Early Life

Born in Dublin, Keating grew up in Westport, County Mayo[2] and played with local side Westport United.[3] He joined Sligo Rovers U19 side in 2013, before signing his first professional contract with the club in 2014.[4]

Sligo Rovers

Upon signing his first contract with Sligo Rovers in January 2014, Keating was sent out on loan to League of Ireland First Division side Finn Harps until the end of June 2014, in order to gain first team experience.[5] Upon returning from his loan spell, he made his senior debut for the club on 7 July 2014, in a 0–0 draw with Cork City.[6] On 17 July 2014, he made his first appearance in European football, coming off the bench in a 2–1 win away to Rosenborg BK in the UEFA Europa League.[7] After spending the first half of the 2015 season back on loan at Finn Harps, Keating scored his first goal at senior level for Sligo on 30 October 2015, scoring a 91st minute consolation goal in a 3–2 defeat at home to Limerick.[8]

Finn Harps loans

Keating signed for Finn Harps on a 6 month loan deal in February 2014.[9] He made his debut in senior football in a 0–0 draw with Waterford United on the opening night of the season. His first goal at senior level came on 10 March 2014 in a 3–2 win over Cockhill Celtic in the League of Ireland Cup. He impressed during his loan spell, scoring 6 goals in 13 appearances in all competitions before returning to Sligo Rovers for the remainder of the season.[1] Ahead of the 2015 League of Ireland First Division, Keating was again loaned to Finn Harps for the first half of the season. He scored 5 goals in 10 games in his second loan spell before again returning to his parent club for the second half of the season.[1]

Galway United

On 18 January 2016, Keating signed a season long contract with Galway United.[10][11] He scored his first goal for the club on 11 March 2016, scoring his sides 4th goal in a 4–0 win over Bray Wanderers.[12] He departed the club midway through the season following 2 goals in 18 appearances in all competitions.[1]

Finn Harps (third spell)

On 6 July 2016, Keating signed for fellow League of Ireland Premier Division side Finn Harps, where he had previously spent 2 loan spells in the past, on a permanent basis until the end of the season.[13][14]

Torquay United

Keating made the move to English football on 9 February 2017, signing for National League side Torquay United.[15] He featured 41 times in his first full season with the club, scoring 4 goals but it wasn’t enough to secure their league status, as the club were relegated to the National League South in April 2018.[16] On 9 June 2018, Keating signed a new 1 year contract with the club.[17] On 11 January 2019, he signed a contract extension with the club.[18] He scored 5 goals during the 2018–19 season as his side won the National League South title.[19] Keating departed the club in January 2020, after he saw his game time reduced following promotion back to the National League.[20]

Gateshead

On 24 January 2020, Keating signed for National League North side Gateshead on a permanent basis, in search of regular first team football.[21] He scored 2 goals in 11 appearances during his short time with the club, before departing by mutual consent in November 2020.[1]

Galway United (second spell)

Keating returned to Ireland, signing for Galway United for the second time in his career, ahead of their 2021 League of Ireland First Division campaign.[22] Learing scored 9 goals in 28 games in all competitions over the season, as Galway were knocked out of the playoffs by Bray Wanderers.[1]

Cork City

Keating signed for Cork City for the 2022 season.[23] His first season with the club was a success, as the club won the 2022 League of Ireland First Division title to gain promotion, with Keating finishing up as his side's top goalscorer with 13 league goals.[24] On 9 December 2022, Keating signed a new contract with the club for their 2023 League of Ireland Premier Division campaign.[25] On 12 July 2023, it was announced that Keating signed a new long term contract with the club.[26][27] On 1 September 2023, Keating scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Sligo Rovers, dedicating his goals to his late father, who had recently passed away.[28] His performances in September 2023 saw him named League of Ireland Player of the Month.[29][30]

Personal life

He is the nephew of Boyzone singer Ronan Keating.[31] On 15 July 2023, Keating's father Ciaran was killed in a fatal car crash on the N5, near Swinford, County Mayo, while travelling to Sligo to watch his son play for Cork City against Sligo Rovers. Keating's mother Ann Marie was also in the vehicle but survived the crash and was admitted to hospital for her injuries.[32][33][34]

Career statistics
As of match played on 22 October 2023[35]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sligo Rovers 2014 LOI Premier Division 140——2[lower-alpha 3]0160
2015 7100——71
Total 21100–20231
Finn Harps (loan) 2014 LOI First Division 1251011—136
Finn Harps (loan) 2015 LOI First Division 105—10—115
Galway United 2016 LOI Premier Division 1421030—182
Finn Harps 2016 LOI Premier Division 111———111
Torquay United 2016–17 National League 153———153
2017–18 39410—1[lower-alpha 4]0414
2018–19 National League South 34520—1[lower-alpha 4]0385
2019–20 National League 19220—2[lower-alpha 4]1233
Total 1071450—4111615
Gateshead 2019–20 National League North 62——2[lower-alpha 5]082
2020–21 3000——30
Total 9200–20112
Galway United 2021 LOI First Division 25910—2[lower-alpha 6]0289
Cork City 2022 LOI First Division 281321—003014
2023 LOI Premier Division 311332—1[lower-alpha 7]03515
Total 592653—106529
Total 268651335111129770
  1. Includes FAI Cup & FA Cup
  2. Includes League of Ireland Cup
  3. Appearance(s) in the UEFA Europa League
  4. Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy
  5. Appearance(s) in the 2019–20 National League North Play-offs
  6. Appearance(s) in the 2021 League of Ireland First Division Play-offs
  7. 1 appearance in the Munster Senior Cup

Honours

Club
Torquay United
Cork City

Individual

References
  1. "Republic of Ireland - R. Keating - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". ie.soccerway.com.
  2. "Mayo man Ruairi on the mark on his return to the north-west". Connaught Telegraph. March 12, 2023.
  3. "WESTPORT UNITED EXTENDS ITS DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO FORMER UNDERAGE PLAYER, RUAIRÍ KEATING". Westport United.
  4. "Ruairí Keating | Stats | History | Career Details | Images | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football - Extratime.com". www.extratime.com.
  5. "On-loan Ruairi Keating looks to make an impression at Finn Harps". Donegal News. March 14, 2014.
  6. "League Report: Sligo Rovers 0-0 Cork City". extratime.com.
  7. "Sligo Rovers secure surprise Europa League win at Rosenborg | Europa League | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com.
  8. "League Report: Sligo Rovers 2 - 3 Limerick". extratime.com.
  9. "Finn Harps lose to Sligo Rovers, but finalise loan deal for Ruairi Keating". Donegal News. February 16, 2014.
  10. Team, Media (January 18, 2016). "Ruairi Keating joins United". Galway United.
  11. "Galway United bring in Ruairi Keating". January 18, 2016 – via www.rte.ie. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. "League Report: Galway United 4 - 0 Bray Wanderers". extratime.com.
  13. "Ruairi Keating returns to Finn Park". July 6, 2016.
  14. Ashmore, Chris (July 8, 2016). "Finn Harps boosted by return of Ruairi Keating for third spell". The Irish News.
  15. "Anderson and Keating join Torquay". BBC Sport. February 9, 2017.
  16. Thomas, by Dave (April 21, 2018). "Torquay United RELEGATED following 1-1 draw at Hartlepool United". Devon Live.
  17. "SIGNING | Ruairi Keating Signs New Contract With TUFC - Torquay United". June 9, 2018.
  18. "Ruairi Keating Signs New Contract - Torquay United". January 11, 2019.
  19. "Torquay United win National League South title". Devon Live. April 13, 2019.
  20. Thomas, by David (January 22, 2020). "Is Torquay United striker Ruairi Keating on his way out of Plainmoor?". Devon Live.
  21. "Ruairi Keating Joins Gateshead - Torquay United". January 24, 2020.
  22. Team, Media (December 4, 2020). "Ruairi Keating signs for United!". Galway United.
  23. Corcoran, Paul. "Ruarí Keating signs for Cork City". extratime.com.
  24. "Cork City top-scorer Ruairí Keating commits to 2023 campaign". echo live. December 10, 2022.
  25. "Ruairi Keating signs new contract!". Cork City FC Shop.
  26. "Keating signs new contract". Cork City FC Shop.
  27. Horgan, Andrew (July 12, 2023). "Ruairí Keating signs new long-term contract with Cork City". Irish Examiner.
  28. "Ruairi Keating Breaks Down As He Dedicates Hat-Trick To Dad". September 3, 2023.
  29. "Cork City's Ruairi Keating named Player of the Month after five-goal haul". Independent.ie. October 19, 2023.
  30. Barry, Stephen (October 19, 2023). "Cork City top scorer Ruairí Keating named Player of the Month". The 42.
  31. Maguire, Stephen (April 17, 2014). "FINN HARPS STRIKER HOPING TO HIT THE HIGH NOTES LIKE HIS FAMOUS UNCLE". Donegal Daily.
  32. Shiel, Tom (July 16, 2023). "Cork City striker Ruairi Keating's father Ciaran dies in crash in Mayo". Cork Beo.
  33. "Ruairi Keating to return to Cork City 'when time is right' after death of father in tragic crash". Independent.ie. July 25, 2023.
  34. Shiel, Tom (July 16, 2023). "Brother of singer Ronan Keating dies in Mayo car crash". Irish Examiner.
  35. "Ireland - R. Keating - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
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