Michael O'Keeffe (footballer)

Michael Peter O'Keeffe (born 9 August 1990)[3] is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Team Wellington and played for the New Zealand U23 national team. Since 2017 until its closure in July 2024, O’Keeffe has been a TV reporter and presenter for Newshub.[4] He is the younger brother of rugby union referee, Ben O'Keeffe.[5]

Michael O'Keeffe
Personal information
Full name Michael Peter O'Keeffe[1]
Date of birth (1990-08-09) 9 August 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Auckland, New Zealand[2]
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Team Wellington
Number 1
Youth career
Avon United
2009–2012 Fairfield Stags
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2009 Canterbury United 14 (0)
2013 Ocean City Nor'easters 5 (0)
2014– Team Wellington
International career
2007 New Zealand U17 1 (0)
2008–2012 New Zealand U23 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:01, 2 June 2013 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:01, 30 July 2012 (UTC)

Career

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O'Keeffe grew up in Blenheim, New Zealand and was schooled at Marlborough Boys' College and Christchurch Boys' High School. He then moved to Fairfield, Connecticut where he began his university studies whilst also on a full soccer scholarship. O'Keeffe graduated from Fairfield University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Television New Media.[citation needed]

Michael moved to Wellington, New Zealand, where he honed his goal keeping skills as a member of Blenheim All Stars indoor handball team.

In June 2012 O'Keeffe received a late call-up to the All Whites as an injury replacement for Mark Paston in the 2012 OFC Nations Cup.

O'Keeffe was selected for the New Zealand U23 national team, participating in the 2012 Summer Olympics.[6][7]

In 2013 O'Keeffe joined USL Premier Development League team Ocean City Nor'easters.[8]

In 2014, he returned to New Zealand to play for Team Wellington in the 2014–15 ASB Premiership.[9]

Since 2017, he has been a TV reporter and presenter for Newshub.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA Tournaments - Players & Coaches". FIFA.com. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.[dead link]
  2. ^ "Michael O'Keeffe - Olympics News | TVNZ". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Michael O'Keefe". Goal.com. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  4. ^ "Michael O'Keeffe". Newshub. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  5. ^ "https://twitter.com/AndrewGourdie/status/1679218857016463364". Twitter. Retrieved 9 August 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  6. ^ "Soccer: Goalkeeping mistake costs Oly Whites". The New Zealand Herald. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  7. ^ "Belarus kick off with Kiwi victory". Fifa.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  8. ^ "International Experience in the Nor'easters Lineup". oceancityfc.com. Archived from the original on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  9. ^ "O'Keeffe, Calcott sign with Team Wellington". Stuff.co.nz. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  10. ^ "Michael O'Keeffe". Newshub. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
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