Robert O'Keeffe on a glorious time managing the Aghabullogue footballers

AGHABULLOGUE created history on many fronts last season as they achieved the double at intermediate A level.

There was an outpouring of relief after the footballers finally got over the line after eking out Mitchelstown in the final after going so close in recent campaigns. They were guided since December 2021 by Robert O’Keeffe, whose calming presence and personality played a part in the Muskerry club climbing the ladder.

There was surprise when he decided to step down from the position weeks after his side claimed the title, especially when there is such a young age profile and potential to kick on at premier intermediate level. For the first time, O’Keeffe has revealed his reasons for moving on.

“After a couple of weeks of consideration, for personal and family reasons I just wasn’t in a position to give the required commitment,” says the man who guided the team for two seasons.

“From a time perspective, it wasn’t going to work. I certainly wouldn’t want the players falling back from a standard point of view. That was the reason really from my point of view. It takes a huge amount of time and commitment to manage at club level these days.” 

It wasn’t a bad way for O’Keeffe to call time on his two successful campaigns in charge of the Aghabullogue footballers, leading them to the final in 2022, beaten by Kilshannig, before finally getting the job done in 2023. Fourth time lucky after losing the 2013, ’18 and ’22 deciders.

“You can measure success by trophies and everything, but it’s not the be-all and end-all,” O’Keeffe says.

“I would hope that the management team has helped develop the players and brought them on a bit and maybe we left it in a better spot. All you want to do is leave it in a good place for the next management team. It was a very enjoyable experience from my point of view with the players. They are a very talented and committed group and I think the last two seasons they have matured enormously. It was great that the players got their reward last year after two campaigns of really putting their shoulder to the wheel. They drove it on and upped the standard as we went along too.” 

It was O’Keeffe’s first adult gig after previously being in charge of the clubs U21s where he led them to the Mid-Cork B championship in 2019 and going all the way to the county final, beaten by Newcestown after extra time. Getting the right people around him was key to the success achieved in 2023.

“I met with the executive of the club over the Christmas of 2021 and I agreed to take the team,” said O’Keeffe.

“I brought in John Hogan, Kieran Cronin, Shane O’Leary, Anthony O'Riordan, Mark McCarthy and Denis Finnegan. It was a big role for me, no doubt about it. The club had lost a good few finals over the years. I was excited to take on the role, I thought I was prepared to take it and I knew the players from the U21 level. I was anxious to take it and the players were looking for me to get involved. My fellow management team was outstanding, we were all on the same page. It was a pleasure to work with them.” 

With O’Keeffe departing the role, it left a vacancy and it would be filled by Ray Keane, the former St Finbarr’s manager, who led the Barrs to the top-flight football championship title in Cork in 2018. Premier intermediate level will be a big step up, but O’Keeffe is confident the team will thrive. Aghada, Ilen Rovers and Iveleary are in Aghabullogue’s championship group.

“I would be expecting them to kick on again,” he says.

“Ray Keane obviously brings a wealth of experience with him and if they keep on improving, the team should be competitive in the grade. They are young and are always learning. There is a hunger and appetite within the group. They are a great bunch.” 

And what does the future hold for O’Keeffe?

“I would expect to get back involved in Aghabullogue in some role again in the future hopefully, if they have me. An underage team possibly, and gain more experience and take in as many games as I can, when I can.” he concluded.