:Keith Fahey
{{short description|Irish former footballer (born 1983)|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Keith Fahey
| image = KeithFahey Augsburg.jpg
| caption = Fahey during pre-season with Birmingham City in July 2009
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|1|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = Dublin, Ireland
| currentclub =
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}
| position = Midfielder
| youthyears1 = 1988–1995 | youthclubs1 = Tymon Bawn
| youthyears2 = 1995–1998 | youthclubs2 = Cherry Orchard
| youthyears3 = 1998–2000 | youthclubs3 = Arsenal
| youthyears4 = 2000–2002 | youthclubs4 = Aston Villa
| years1 = 2002–2003 | clubs1 = Aston Villa | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2003 | clubs2 = Bluebell United | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2003–2005 | clubs3 = St Patrick's Athletic | caps3 = 77 | goals3 = 11
| years4 = 2005–2006 | clubs4 = Drogheda United | caps4 = 22 | goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2006–2008 | clubs5 = St Patrick's Athletic | caps5 = 77 | goals5 = 12
| years6 = 2009–2013 | clubs6 = Birmingham City | caps6 = 121 | goals6 = 9
| years7 = 2014 | clubs7 = St Patrick's Athletic | caps7 = 26 | goals7 = 2
| years8 = 2015 | clubs8 = Shamrock Rovers | caps8 = 12 | goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2017 | clubs9 = Bluebell United | caps9 = 1 | goals9 = 0
| totalcaps = 334 | totalgoals = 36
| nationalyears1 = 1999–2000 | nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U16
| nationalcaps1 = 11 | nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2003 | nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U20
| nationalcaps2 = 2 |nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2010–2012 | nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland
| nationalcaps3 = 16 |nationalgoals3 = 3
}}
Keith Declan Fahey (born 15 January 1983){{cite web|url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10412~46180,00.html |title=Player Profiles: Keith Fahey |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204184121/http://www.bcfc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10412~46180%2C00.html |archive-date= 4 December 2010}} is an Irish former footballer, who played most of his career with League of Ireland side St Patrick's Athletic, as well as English club Birmingham City. He played predominantly as a central midfielder, but also occasionally as a winger.
Fahey started his professional career as a trainee with Arsenal. He played for Aston Villa, Bluebell United, St Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United before his transfer to Birmingham City. With Birmingham City he won the 2011 League Cup in England, as well as helping the club gain promotion from the Football League Championship to the Premier League during the 2008–09 season. He left the club at the end of the 2012–13 season, and returned to St Patrick's Athletic for a third spell with the club.
With the Republic of Ireland national team, Fahey gained 16 caps. He was part of the squad that secured qualification for UEFA Euro 2012. Manager Giovanni Trapattoni called Fahey into the Irish squad for the tournament, but he was later sent home due to injury.
Club career
=Early career=
Fahey started his professional career as a trainee with Arsenal before signing for Aston Villa in April 2000 for a fee of £250,000. He played for Villa's youth and reserve teams, but never made a first-team appearance.{{cite news |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Fahey+buries+past+at+Villa.-a0191466430 |title=Fahey buries past at Villa |last=Stud Marks |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=17 April 2012 |via=The Free Library (Farlex) |quote=Various football stats sites on the internet credit Fahey as having made one first-team appearance for Villa, an Inter Toto Cup semi-final against Lille in 2002. ... Fahey was quick to set the record straight after admitting he had never played for Villa's first team. 'No, I've been asked that before,' he said. 'I never played for them. If I did I was asleep, I don't know. It's down in some record books but I never made an appearance.'}}
=Return to Ireland=
Having failed to settle in England, Fahey returned home in 2003. He initially played a few games in non-League football for Bluebell United, before a six-week trial at St Patrick's Athletic led to a contract.{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/faheys-second-coming-of-age-1682356.html |title=Fahey's second coming of age |first=Daniel |last=McDonnell |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=23 March 2009 |access-date=29 May 2010}} He made his League of Ireland debut and had a goal disallowed at Waterford United on 21 April.
He contributed to St Pats's victory in the League of Ireland Cup and scored a "stunning" free kick in extra time of the semi-final replay against Bohemians to reach the FAI Cup final.{{cite news |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+FAHEY+REALLY+EXTRA+SPECIAL%3B+FAI+CUP+REPLAY%3A+ST+PAT%27S+4...-a0108666079 |title=Fahey really extra special |first=Paul |last=Keane |newspaper=The Mirror |via=The Free Library (Farlex) |date=9 October 2003 |access-date=7 March 2011}} However the final turned out to be very disappointing for both team and player, who was sent off for a "two-footed lunge" on Longford Town's Sean Prunty after 77 minutes as the Saints lost 2–0.{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/gerry-mcdermott--tears-of-joy-as-town-end-drought-in-style-202116.html |title=Tears of joy as Town end drought in style |first=Gerry |last=McDermott |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=27 October 2003 |access-date=7 March 2011}}
He joined Drogheda United in exchange for Alan Reilly and a cash adjustment in July 2005.{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0730/eircomleague.html |title=Sunday's eircom League games previewed |publisher=RTÉ |date=30 July 2005 |access-date=7 March 2011}} He was involved in Mark Leech's golden goal that won the Setanta Cup for Drogheda in April 2006,{{cite news |url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4912 |title=Mark Leech produces golden goal for Drogheda in Setanta Sports Cup |publisher=Football Association of Ireland |date=22 April 2006 |access-date=7 March 2011}} but a few months later was released, following a disagreement with manager Paul Doolin,{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/old-boys-fired-up-to-test-droghedas-euro-resolve-26468355.html |title=Old boys fired up to test Drogheda's Euro resolve |newspaper=Independent.ie |first=Seán |last=Ryan |date=10 August 2008 |access-date=11 April 2013}} and returned to St Pats.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/sep/06/keith-fahey-republic-ireland-euro-2012 |title=Keith Fahey adjusts to hero status on his return to Dublin |first=David |last=Hytner |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 September 2010 |access-date=7 March 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fahey-earns-his-promotion-1734577.html |title=Fahey earns his promotion |first=John |last=O'Brien |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=10 May 2009 |access-date=4 May 2017}}
RTÉ reported that "Danger man Fahey was quieter than usual" as Pats lost 2–0 to Hertha BSC in the first round of the 2008–09 UEFA Cup, held at the Olympiastadion;{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0916/stpatricks.html |title=Hertha Berlin 2–0 St Patrick's Athletic |first=Mark |last=Cummins |publisher=RTÉ |date=16 September 2008 |access-date=29 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030035636/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0916/stpatricks.html |archive-date=30 October 2008}} however, in the second leg, despite Pats' "excellent performance" failing to overturn the deficit,{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0930/stpatricksath_herthaberlin.html |title=St Patrick's Athletic 0–0 Hertha Berlin |first=Mark |last=Cummins |publisher=RTÉ |date=30 September 2008 |access-date=29 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210080723/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0930/stpatricksath_herthaberlin.html |archive-date=10 December 2008 }} an RTÉ feature picked out "Keith Fahey's control of the game, dictating almost every Pat's attack with that delicate but incisive right foot of his. Fahey stood head and shoulders above the many highly decorated full internationals in the Hertha team, showing the full range of his passing from deep and from close range, and generally showing a poise and guile on the ball that you would not expect from a League of Ireland player amongst such illustrious company."{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/mns/features/eircomleague/elfshane8.html |title=Eircom League Special: St Patrick's Athletic |first=Shane |last=Murray |publisher=RTÉ |date=2 October 2008 |access-date=29 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203235811/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/mns/features/eircomleague/elfshane8.html |archive-date=3 December 2008 }}
His performances for St Pats in 2008, in which he scored 11 goals in all competitions, earned Fahey the PFAI Player of the Year award.{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/1117/faheyk.html |title=Fahey named PFAI Player of the Year |date=17 November 2008 |publisher=RTÉ |access-date=28 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821105622/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/1117/faheyk.html |archive-date=21 August 2009}} He also won Monday Night Soccer's 2008 Goal of the Season.{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/mns/features/gots2008.html |title=Goal Of The Season 2008 |date=24 November 2008 |publisher=RTÉ |access-date=29 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119130735/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/mns/features/gotm.html |archive-date=19 January 2009}} After Pats were beaten by Bohemians in the FAI Cup, Fahey declared that he wished to move to an English club to further his career.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/saints-blow-as-fahey-plans-move-abroad-26488322.html |title=Saints' blow as Fahey plans move abroad |first=Daniel |last=McDonnell |work=Irish Independent |date=30 October 2008 |access-date=4 May 2017}}
=Birmingham City=
On 2 December 2008, Fahey signed a pre-contract agreement with Football League Championship side Birmingham City to join the club when the transfer window opened in January 2009.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7753287.stm |title=Fahey signs Birmingham contract |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 December 2008 |access-date=2 December 2008}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1458664,00.html |title=Fahey puts pen to paper |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |date=2 December 2008 |access-date=17 September 2018 |archive-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917074334/http://www.bcfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1458664,00.html |url-status=dead }} The Irish season having finished, Fahey joined up with Birmingham in mid-December for training, though manager Alex McLeish suggested supporters should not "expect him to walk straight into the team" when he became eligible in January.{{cite web |url=http://origin-www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1493933,00.html |title=Fahey trains with new team mates |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=19 December 2008 |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722015954/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1493933,00.html |archive-date=22 July 2012}}
Fahey made his Birmingham debut on 17 January 2009, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–1 draw against Cardiff City.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/lee-bowyer-debut-is-a-delight-says-82722 |title=Lee Bowyer debut is a delight says Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=19 January 2009 |access-date=15 November 2012}} He scored his first goal for the club, a "delicate lob"{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7872592.stm |title=Birmingham 2–0 Nottm Forest |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 February 2009 |access-date=15 February 2009}} which the player admitted was meant to be a cross,{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-citys-keith-fahey-admits-84881 |title=Birmingham City's Keith Fahey admits his wonder goal against Nottingham Forest had more than a slice of luck about it |first=Andy |last=Walker |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=16 February 2009 |access-date=15 November 2012}} to clinch a 2–0 home victory against Nottingham Forest on 14 February. His second goal gave the Blues a 1–0 home win over Southampton some weeks later.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/fahey-aids-rebirth-of-blues-1639693.html |title=Fahey aids rebirth of Blues |newspaper=The Independent |first=David |last=Instone |date=8 March 2009 |access-date=25 April 2009}} Fahey retained his place in the side for the rest of the season (keeping loan signings Scott Sinclair and Hamer Bouazza out of the starting eleven), and was a key player for Birmingham in their successful bid for promotion to the Premier League, scoring a goal and making a goal in a vital 2–1 win at Reading on the last day of the campaign.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/surprise-package-keith-fahey-delighted-239819 |title=Surprise package Keith Fahey delighted with his first season at Blues |newspaper=Sunday Mercury |location=Birmingham |date=26 April 2009 |first=Andy |last=Walker |access-date=15 November 2012}}
Fahey made his Premier League debut in the opening game of the 2009–10 season at Old Trafford, in the 1–0 defeat against Manchester United.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8197957.stm |title=Man Utd 1–0 Birmingham |first=Pranav |last=Soneji |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2009 |access-date=15 April 2010}} He made 34 appearances in his first Premier League season (18 of which he started), but failed to score all season,{{cite web |url=http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/8179/keith-fahey?cc=5739# |title=Keith Fahey Bio, Stats, News – Football/Soccer |publisher=ESPN FC |access-date=16 April 2013}} as Birmingham finished in ninth place, their highest ever position in the Premier League.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/8814768.stm |title=Barry Ferguson decision pleases City boss Alex McLeish |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 July 2010 |access-date=20 April 2013}} In July 2010, Fahey's contract was extended to 2013, in recognition of his having "proved to [McLeish] that he's a Premier League player".{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2086530,00.html |title=Irish eyes are smiling |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=7 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330000019/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~2086530%2C00.html |archive-date=30 March 2012}} He was part of the starting eleven as Birmingham won the 2011 League Cup, defeating favourites Arsenal 2–1 at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9405702.stm |title=Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham |first=Philip |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=28 February 2011}} The league season proved less successful for both player and club. Fahey made only 24 appearances, although he did score his first (and only) Premier League goal, and Birmingham finished 18th and were relegated on the last day of the season following a 2–1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13444710 |title=Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 Birmingham City |first=Phil |last=Dawkes |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2011 |access-date=20 April 2013}}
Following relegation, Barry Ferguson, Craig Gardner and Lee Bowyer left the club, giving Fahey the chance to establish himself in his preferred central position. After recovering from hernia surgery early in the 2011–12 season, he partnered Jonathan Spector in a solid midfield supporting two attacking wide players.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/boss-praises-birmingham-city-midfield-165951 |title=Boss praises Birmingham City midfield duo Keith Fahey and Jonathan Spector |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=26 November 2011 |access-date=15 November 2012}} Later in the season, he played a defensive support role alongside the more attacking Jordon Mutch, and manager Chris Hughton suggested he was "enjoying playing in that central role and he's enjoying the development he's had there all season".{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chris-hughton-praises-keith-fahey-179651 |title=Chris Hughton praises Keith Fahey as Birmingham City are tipped for promotion |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=23 February 2012 |access-date=15 November 2012}} When he suffered a groin problem that caused him to miss the last few weeks of the season, Hughton called it "a real blow for us ... because he's a player that has been in really good form".{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-keith-fahey-is-a-huge-182188 |title=Keith Fahey is a huge loss – Chris Hughton |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=30 March 2012 |access-date=15 November 2012}} He scored four goals during the season, including "a venomous left-foot drive from 20 yards" at Barnsley{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/championship-roundup-faheys-fierce-drive-keeps-birmingham-motoring-7281631.html |title=Championship round-up: Fahey's fierce drive keeps Birmingham motoring |first=Saul |last=Brookfield |newspaper=The Independent |date=22 February 2012 |access-date=23 May 2012}} and a goal he "couldn't have hit ... any sweeter first time, or with any more power" at home to Crystal Palace that earned him the club's Goal of the Season award.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-chris-burke-cleans-184270 |title=Chris Burke cleans up at annual awards dinner at the ICC in Birmingham |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=1 May 2012 |access-date=20 January 2013}}
Fahey returned to the team in mid-September, and made seven appearances, four of which were starts. In November, he returned home to Ireland on indefinite compassionate leave for personal and family reasons.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com//news/article/compassionate-leave-for-keith-488259.aspx |title=Compassionate leave for Keith |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |date=15 November 2012 |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129084655/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/compassionate-leave-for-keith-488259.aspx |archive-date=29 November 2012}} After two months away, Fahey took part in pre-season training with Shamrock Rovers,{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-midfielder-keith-fahey-1221940 |title=Keith Fahey links up with Shamrock Rovers |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=18 January 2013 |access-date=20 January 2013}} ahead of a full fitness assessment which preceded his return to training with Birmingham in mid-February.{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11694/8507787/Birmingham-midfielder-Keith-Fahey-has-resumed-training-with-the-club |title=Birmingham midfielder Keith Fahey has resumed training with the club |publisher=Sky Sports |date=18 February 2013 |access-date=24 February 2013}} However, Fahey was ruled out for the rest of the season in April with a recurrence of a hip problem, having played just twice since his return from compassionate leave.{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11694/8618622/Birmingham-midfielder-Keith-Fahey-out-for-rest-of-Championship-season |title=Birmingham midfielder Keith Fahey out for rest of Championship season |publisher=Sky Sports |date=5 April 2013 |access-date=20 April 2013}} At the end of the season, Fahey announced he was leaving Birmingham as the club had decided not to take up their option to extend his contract.{{cite news |url=http://www.thescore.ie/keith-fahey-leaves-birmingham-city-897836-May2013/ |title=Keith Fahey leaves Birmingham City |website=The Score |date=6 May 2013 |access-date=6 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724231449/http://www.thescore.ie/keith-fahey-leaves-birmingham-city-897836-May2013/ |archive-date=24 July 2013}}
=Return to St. Patrick's Athletic=
After a few months out of the game, Fahey trained with Sheffield United in October 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/birmingham-city-keith-fahey-training-6178658|title=Former Blues star training with Sheffield United |first=Greg |last=Evans |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=13 October 2013 |access-date=13 October 2013}} Following this, he returned to Ireland, where he rejoined his old club St Patrick's Athletic on 23 December 2013. Commenting on his move back to Richmond Park, he said "Both the fans and the club have always been great to me, and the stability of the club behind the scenes really made me want to come back and play my football in Inchicore again."{{cite web |url=https://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=5943 |title=Fahey signs for Saints |publisher=St Patrick's Athletic F.C. |date=23 December 2013 |access-date=23 December 2013}} He made his third debut for the club in a 2–1 victory over Dundalk on 17 February 2014 in a Leinster Senior Cup match, scoring a free kick.{{cite web |url=http://www.dundalkfc.com/st-pats-2-1-dundalk-match-report/ |title=St. Pats 2–1 Dundalk: Match Report! |publisher=Dundalk F.C. |first=Darren |last=Crawley |date=17 February 2014 |access-date=2 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221022/http://www.dundalkfc.com/st-pats-2-1-dundalk-match-report/ |archive-date=23 September 2015}} On 2 March 2014, Fahey scored the only goal as St Patrick's Athletic became the first team to win the FAI President's Cup, defeating Sligo Rovers in the process.{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en-ie/match/131747/sligo-rovers-vs-st-patricks-athletic/report |title=St Patrick's Athletic 1–0 Sligo Rovers – Fahey goal sees Saints lift President's Cup |first=Stephen |last=Pollard |publisher=Goal.com |date=2 March 2014 |access-date=2 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305030755/http://www.goal.com/en-ie/match/131747/sligo-rovers-vs-st-patricks-athletic/report |archive-date=5 March 2014}} His goal drew praise from Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and from Sligo Rovers' Alan Keane, who stated "A wonder goal won it, it was a great strike. No keeper in the world could have saved that."{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2014/03/02/4656840/martin-oneill-praises-keith-faheys-president-cup-winning |title=Martin O'Neill praises Keith Fahey's President Cup winning goal |first=Stephen |last=Pollard |website=Goal.com |date=2 March 2014 |access-date=2 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924141730/http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2014/03/02/4656840/martin-oneill-praises-keith-faheys-president-cup-winning |archive-date=24 September 2015}}
Fahey started the first day of the season in the 1–1 away draw against Cork City. In the 1–1 draw away to Legia Warsaw in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, his through ball found Ian Bermingham who crossed for Christy Fagan's goal that gave Pats the lead.{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish/2014/0716/631244-st-pats-claim-away-draw-against-legia-warsaw/ |title=Legia Warsaw 1–1 St Patrick's Athletic |publisher=RTÉ |date=17 July 2014 |access-date=4 May 2017}} He started the return leg in Tallaght in which Pats lost 5–0.{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/champions-league/2014/0723/632696-legia-warsaw-advance-as-saints-capitulate/ |title=St Patrick's Athletic 0–5 Legia Warsaw (Legia Warsaw win 6–1 on aggregate) |publisher=RTÉ |date=24 July 2014 |access-date=4 May 2017}} Fahey scored his first goal of the season against UCD in a 3–2 win. Overall Fahey made 26 league appearances scoring two goals throughout the season.{{cite web |url=http://inform.fai.ie/Statsportal/PlayerDetails.aspx?playerID=48503 |title=Player profile: Keith Fahey |website=inform.fai.ie |access-date=4 May 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150315191042/http://inform.fai.ie/Statsportal/PlayerDetails.aspx?playerID=48503 |archive-date=15 March 2015}}
=Shamrock Rovers=
On 11 November 2014, Fahey switched to Shamrock Rovers.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/keith-fahey-signs-for-shamrock-rovers-30735562.html |title=Keith Fahey signs for Shamrock Rovers |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=11 November 2014}} He announced his retirement in August 2015 having failed to recover from knee surgery. His last ever game of professional football was the 2–1 FAI Cup loss to his old club St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park as he was substituted off with his knee injury.{{cite news |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/st-pats-claim-derby-spoils-over-shamrock-rovers-333762.html |title=St Pats claim derby spoils over Shamrock Rovers |first=Rónán |last=MacLochlainn |newspaper=Irish Examiner |date=30 May 2015 |access-date=4 May 2017}}
=Return to Bluebell United=
In 2017, Fahey returned to senior football and linked up with his former club Bluebell United in the Leinster Senior League Senior Division.{{cite web |url=http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/keith-fahey-face-former-club-11072809 |title=Keith Fahey to face former Club |newspaper=Irish Mirror |date=28 August 2017 |access-date=28 August 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.extratime.ie/articles/19597/former-saints-and-ireland-midfielder-keith-fahey-returns-to-amateur-football/ |title=Former Saints and Ireland midfielder Keith Fahey returns to amateur football |website=ExtraTime.ie |date=14 August 2017 |access-date=14 August 2017}} Fahey played three games for Bluebell, a 3–0 FAI Cup First Round win over Sheriff YC, a 1–0 win over League of Ireland First Division side Cabinteely in the next round of the cup (Fahey was sent off in the last minute making him miss the FAI Cup Quarter final away to Shamrock Rovers) and his final appearance in football came in a 5–1 defeat of Firhouse Clover in a top-of-the-table Leinster Senior League clash. Fahey retired from football in November 2017 after twisting his knee in training once again, later stating that "I'm glad now that it's (his career) finished. I am at the right place now, 100 percent."{{cite web |url=https://www.buzz.ie/football/heart-probably-head-still-footballer-262473 |title='In my heart probably more than my head I was still a footballer' |first=Mark |last=McCadden |website=Buzz.ie |date=20 November 2017 |access-date=2 December 2019 |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326213846/https://www.buzz.ie/football/heart-probably-head-still-footballer-262473 |url-status=dead }}
International career
Fahey played for the Republic of Ireland at the 2000 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship and scored against their English counterparts.{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/ireland-get-some-reward-1.268118 |title=Ireland get some reward |first=Paul |last=Buttner |newspaper=Irish Times |date=6 May 2000 |access-date=4 May 2017}}
He also played at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, where he contributed to Ireland topping their group to reach the knockout stages.{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/referee-makes-ireland-count-cost-of-victory-191592.html |title=Referee makes Ireland count cost of victory |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=6 December 2003 |access-date=15 April 2010}} In the second round match against Colombia under-20, he came on as a late substitute to assist Kevin Doyle's goal and help turn the game around, coming back from a two-goal deficit only to lose on the golden goal.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=104/edition=6537/matches/match=65370044/report.html |title=FIFA World Youth Championship UAE 2003 Republic of Ireland – Colombia |publisher=FIFA |date=9 December 2003 |access-date=15 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203140134/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament%3D104/edition%3D6537/matches/match%3D65370044/report.html |archive-date=3 February 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/david-kelly-in-alain-golden-grief-shatters-irish-comeback-kids-192103.html |title=Golden grief shatters Irish comeback kids |first=David |last=Kelly |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=10 December 2003 |access-date=15 April 2010}}
On 25 May 2010, Fahey won his first senior cap for the Republic of Ireland in a 2–1 win against Paraguay at the RDS Arena, replacing Damien Duff in the 77th minute.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8701396.stm |title=Republic of Ireland 2–1 Paraguay |date=25 May 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 May 2010}} He made his first start against Argentina on 12 August, in the first international match at the new Aviva Stadium.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8905915.stm |title=Rep of Ireland 0–1 Argentina |date=11 August 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=9 February 2011}} Fahey scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland eight minutes into his competitive debut, coming off the bench to score the only goal in a Euro 2012 qualifying win over Armenia in Yerevan on 3 September 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fahey-strike-gets-ireland-out-of-sticky-situation-2324372.html |title=Fahey strike gets Ireland out of sticky situation |first=Daniel |last=McDonnell |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=4 September 2010 |access-date=4 May 2017}} On his first competitive start, in a 1–1 draw against Slovakia in Žilina on 12 October, Fahey delivered the free kick that led to Ireland's goal, scored by Sean St. Ledger.{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/ireland-don-t-possess-enough-to-win-1.663049 |title=Ireland don't possess enough to win |first=Emmet |last=Malone |newspaper=Irish Times |date=13 October 2010 |access-date=4 May 2017}} In February 2011, he scored his second goal for Ireland in a 3–0 defeat of Wales in the 2011 Nations Cup,{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0208/ireland_wales_carlingnationscup.html |title=Republic of Ireland 3–0 Wales |publisher=RTÉ Sport |date=8 February 2011 |access-date=9 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211022530/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0208/ireland_wales_carlingnationscup.html |archive-date=11 February 2011 }} and his third came in March 2011, a penalty against Uruguay.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/12885068.stm |title=Republic of Ireland 2–3 Uruguay |date=29 March 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=3 April 2011}}
Fahey was part of the squad that clinched victory in the inaugural Nations Cup with a 1–0 win over Scotland on 29 May 2011 at the Aviva Stadium.{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0529/ireland_scotland_nations.html |title=Republic of Ireland 1–0 Scotland |first=Glenn |last=Mason |publisher=RTÉ |date=29 May 2011 |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531012818/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0529/ireland_scotland_nations.html |archive-date=31 May 2011}}
He was called into the UEFA Euro 2012 squad but withdrew due to injury before the tournament.{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2012/0526/322516-green-called-up-after-fahey-withdraws/ |title=Green called up after Fahey withdraws |publisher=RTÉ |date=27 May 2012 |access-date=27 May 2012}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{notelist}}
=International=
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=3|Republic of Ireland{{NFT|38442|name=Fahey, Keith |access-date=17 April 2017}}
|2010 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total | 16 | 3 |
=International goals=
| class="wikitable"
|+ ! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition | ||||||
| 1. | 3 September 2010 | Hanrapetakan Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia | {{fb|ARM}} | align="center"| 1–0 | align="center"| 1–0 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
| 2. | 8 February 2011 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland | {{fb|WAL}} | align="center"| 3–0 | align="center"| 3–0 | 2011 Nations Cup |
| 3. | 29 March 2011 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland | {{fb|URU}} | align="center"| 2–3 | align="center"| 2–3 | Friendly |
Honours
St Patrick's Athletic
Drogheda United
Birmingham City
- Football League Cup: 2010–11{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9405702.stm |title=Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham |first=Philip |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=25 March 2024}}
- Football League Championship runner-up: 2008–09
Republic of Ireland
- Nations Cup: 2011{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/29/republic-ireland-scotland-nations-cup|title=Robbie Keane earns Ireland deciding win over Scotland in Nations Cup|date=29 May 2011|work=Guardian|access-date=14 May 2020}}
Individual
- PFAI Players' Player of the Year: 2008
- Monday Night Soccer Goal of the Season: 2008
- Birmingham City Goal of the Season: 2011–12 (vs Crystal Palace)
- St Patrick's Athletic Player of the Year (3): 2004, 2007, 2008
References
;Infobox statistics
- Aston Villa, St Patrick's Athletic, Drogheda United, Birmingham City: {{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/keith-fahey/7182/ |title=Keith Fahey |work=Soccerway |publisher=Global Sports Media |access-date=6 May 2013}}
- Republic of Ireland under-20: {{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=208036/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007005900/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=208036/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 October 2012 |title=FIFA Player statistics: Keith Fahey |publisher=FIFA |access-date=8 November 2011}}
- Republic of Ireland: {{cite web |url=http://www.fai.ie/international/senior-men/101308-keith-fahey.html |title=Keith Fahey |publisher=Football Association of Ireland |access-date=1 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806001738/http://www.fai.ie/international/senior-men/101308-keith-fahey.html |archive-date= 6 August 2012 }}
;Specific
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Keith Fahey}}
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303005353/http://www.stpatsfc.com/player.php?playerid=10 |date=3 March 2014 |title=Profile at St Patrick's Athletic F.C. website }}
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/faheys-second-coming-of-age-1682356.html Fahey's second coming of age]: Interview with Irish Independent newspaper
- {{ESPN FC|8179}}
{{St Patrick's Athletic F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{PFAI Players' Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fahey, Keith}}
Category:Association footballers from Dublin (city)
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Republic of Ireland men's international footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Cherry Orchard F.C. players
Category:Aston Villa F.C. players
Category:Bluebell United F.C. players
Category:St Patrick's Athletic F.C. players
Category:Drogheda United F.C. players
Category:Birmingham City F.C. players
Category:Shamrock Rovers F.C. players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Leinster Senior League (association football) players