Richard John Keogh (born 11 August 1986) is a footballer who plays for Derby County as a defender. Keogh was named the Coventry City Player of the Year for consecutive seasons (201011 season and 201112 season). and won Derby County award in 201213, he also won the Carlisle United Player of the Year in 200910. He has also represented Republic of Ireland at under-21 and senior level.
Club career
Keogh was born in Harlow, Essex. Having been a schoolboy in Ipswich Town academy and a ballboy at Portman Road,Keogh moved on to the Stoke City youth set-up. He was loaned out to Icelandic club Vνkingur, where he played nine games. Keogh was released in 2005 without making a first team appearance for Stoke City.
Bristol City
He joined up with Bristol City before the start of the 200506 campaign, after he rejected a move to Burnley.
In his first season, Brian Tinnion, who had signed Keogh, left the club. He was replaced by Gary Johnson who loaned him to Wycombe Wanderers. He then began to establish himself in citys first team plans and scored against Walsall.
He began the 200607 season with the same form as the previous season, and replaced Bradley Orr after his red card against Northampton Town and later imprisonment. He scored his second City goal against Gillingham.
He later captained the Republic Of Ireland Under 21 in October 2006 and was voted Bristol Citys "Young Player of the Year" for the 200607 season.
Whilst at Bristol City, Keogh undertook loan spells at Huddersfield, Carlisle and Cheltenham.
Carlisle United
On 20 August 2008, Keogh returned to Carlisle United on a permanent transfer from Bristol City for an undisclosed sum.
Keogh became somewhat of a cult hero at Brunton Park, with one group of supporters carrying a giant "In Keogh We Trust" banner across the country in support of Carlisle United. In his final season at Carlisle, Keogh won the 200910 Carlisle Player of the Year award. Keogh left the club at expiry of his contract at the end of the 200910 season after turning down offers of a new contract with the club.
Coventry City
Keogh signed a threeyear deal with Coventry City on 29 June 2010 becoming the fourth close season signing for new manager Aidy Boothroyd. He officially transferred to Coventry on 1 July 2010 after his contract with Carlisle United had expired, because Keogh was under the age of 24 compensation was to be paid for the transfer, however, this was to remain undisclosed.
Keogh played every minute of every game for this season 201011, and scored his first goal for Coventry on the last game of the season against Norwich. He was voted Players Player of the Year at the end of the 201011 season awards for Coventry City. Keogh played every game for Coventry since signing for the club, until his unfortunate dismissal in the game at home to Doncaster Rovers on 21 April 2012, which brought an end to a run of 91 consecutive games played. Despite Coventry Citys relegation from the Championship, Keogh won the Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season at Coventrys end of season awards. He also won the Players Player of the Year awards.
In May 2012, Coventry had rejected a £250,000 bid from Bristol City and a £800,000 from Cardiff City, as they opened contract negations with Keogh. In July an undisclosed bid from Cardiff was rejected, believed to be in the region of £800,000.Fellow Championship club Derby County had a reported £800,000 bid accepted on 17 July 2012. Cardiff had pulled out of the bid two days later after refusing to match Derbys wage offer. He was named the 5th best defender and 19th best player in the 201213 Football League Championship by the Actim Index.
Derby County
On 19 July 2012, Keogh signed a three-year contract at Derby County, for an undisclosed fee believed to be in excess of £1 million. A day later, Keogh was named Derby Countys new captain, replacing the departed Jason Shackell,who covered the role after Shaun Barkers season long injury. Keogh was also captain at Coventry and said, "I thrive on the pressure. I feel it brings out the best in me. It is something I look forward to and I cannot wait to get out there and play."
Keogh scored on his debut against Scunthorpe United in the League Cup, an extraordinary game which Derby had led 30, 41, and 53 but which ended in a 55 draw before Derby then lost 67 on penalties. Keogh was an ever present in Derbys 201213 season, one of only two outfield players to play in every minute of every game in the Championship and praised the team spirt at the club as well as the management style of Nigel Clough. He was awarded Derby Countys Player of the Season award ahead of the clubs final home game of the season against Millwall, as well as the Players and Supporters awards. Keogh, an ever present in the Derby starting 11 was the only Championship defender bar Aaron Cresswell to feature in every minute of league action during the season.
Keogh was again considered the first choice centre back at the club by Clough ahead of the 201314 season.
International career
Keogh made his debut for Republic of Ireland under-21s in 2005, and made eight appearances in total for them over a three-year period. He also captained the under-21 side. In January 2013, Keogh was called up to the senior squad for the first time to play in a friendly against Poland on 6 February. Keogh made his debut in the game, which Ireland won 20 as a 84th minute substitute for Ciaran Clark. He scored his first goal for Ireland in a 4-0 win on 2 June in a friendly against Georgia.
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