Eoin McKeon

Eoin McKeon (born 23 June 1991) is a rugby union player from Ireland. He primarily played in the back row. McKeon played for his native province of Connacht in the Pro14 from 2010 to 2020. He played his club rugby for Galwegians. Since his retirement, he has spent his free time losing balls on the golf course and setting world record times for a 5km run.

Eoin McKeon
Date of birth (1991-06-23) 23 June 1991
Place of birthGalway, Ireland
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Weight110 kg (17 st 5 lb; 243 lb)[2]
SchoolColáiste Iognáid
UniversityNUI Galway
Notable relative(s)Conor McKeon (second cousin)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Back row
Current team Connacht
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Galwegians ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2020 Connacht 128 (69)
Correct as of 19 April 2020
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011
2013
2015		 Ireland U20
Emerging Ireland
Wolfhounds		 7
2
1		 5
(0)
(0)
Correct as of 11 February 2015

Early life

McKeon grew up in Galway, and was a fan of Galwegians from a young age. He has stated that Eric Elwood, later his coach at Connacht, was one of his heroes growing up. McKeon went to secondary school in Coláiste Iognáid in the city, and was later a student in NUI Galway, the local university.[3][4] McKeon's is a second cousin of Conor McKeon, another Connacht player.[5]

Connacht

Having played for All-Ireland League club Galwegians, and been part of the province's academy, McKeon made his Connacht debut in the 2009–10 Celtic League. On 25 April 2010, away to Welsh side Scarlets in one of the last games of the season, McKeon came on as a replacement flanker.[6] In the 2010–11 season, Eric Elwood took over as head coach and over the course of the season McKeon started two matches for the province.[7]

McKeon played in only four of Connacht's matches in the 2011–12 Pro 12 (the new name for the league), all of them as a replacement,[7] but he played a role in Connacht's European campaign. McKeon made his European debut on 10 December 2012, coming on from the bench against Gloucester and played a part in three of his side's six games in the 2011–12 Heineken Cup, the team's first ever appearance in the competition.[8]

In the 2012–13 season, McKeon played far more regularly for the team, playing in 17 matches in the 2012–13 Pro 12, 16 of these being starts. He also scored his first try for the team, crossing the line for Connacht in the game at home to Zebre in the league.[7] At European level, McKeon played in four of Connacht's 2012–13 Heineken Cup matches, and started in three of these games. He was involved in Connacht's home game with Biarritz, and despite picking up a yellow card, was part of a Connacht victory.[8] Elwood departed his post as Connacht coach at the end of the season.

In the following season Elwood was replaced by Pat Lam. McKeon made three appearances in 2013–14 Heineken Cup, coming off the bench in a memorable win over Toulouse and starting two more games.[8] He made 11 appearances in the 2013–14 Pro12, starting in all but one of these games. During the course of the league season McKeon scored three tries, with these coming against Munster, Scarlets and Benetton Treviso.[7]

In the 2014–15 season McKeon was part of a strong Connacht start to the Pro12 campaign. McKeon started in all of Connacht's opening games, with the team winning each win.[7] McKeon also scored the team's first try of the season when he touched down against the Newport Gwent Dragons.[9] McKeon made his 50th senior appearance for the side on 26 September 2014 against Glasgow Warriors as Connacht's winning start was brought to an end.[10][11]

International

McKeon represented Ireland at under-age international level, including playing for the Irish Under-20 team. He was part of the Irish squad for the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship.[12]

References
  1. https://www.connachtrugby.ie/players/eoin-mckeon-2/
  2. "Three Connacht players named in Ireland u20 squad". Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  3. "RaboDirect Rising Stars: Eoin McKeon (Connacht)". RaboDirectPRO12. 16 February 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  4. Rooney, Declan (27 October 2017). "NUI Galway renew deal with province". Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 October 2017. NUI Galway became Connacht's Academy and University partner in 2013, and since then 19 Connacht players have graduated, or are about to graduate, from NUI Galway including current senior squad members Denis Buckley, Eoin Griffin, Eoin McKeon, Andrew Browne, Dave Heffernan, Jack Carty, Darragh Leader, Eoghan Masterson, Seán O'Brien and Conor McKeon.
  5. "World Cup youngsters boost Carolan's Connacht Academy". Galway Advertiser. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  6. "Scarlets Revel in Nine-Try Trouncing of Connacht". RaboDirectPRO12. 25 April 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  7. "Connacht Squad Index: Eoin McKeon". PRO12. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  8. "Player Archive: Eoin McKeon". ERC. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  9. "Carty has last laugh as Connacht hold on to win". Pro12 Rugby. 6 September 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  10. "50-cap McKeon keen for Connacht's run to continue in Glasgow". The Score. 26 September 2014. Archived from the original on 26 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  11. "Connacht's winning start to the season comes to an end in Glasgow". The Score. 26 September 2014. Archived from the original on 26 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  12. "Ireland U-20 Squad Named For Junior World Championship". Irish Rugby. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
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