Where has Keith gone?
You will remember Keith Gleeson who played an important part in the reestablishment of our club in the first division and who was also such a dynamic open side flanker for Leinster and Ireland. Keith was born in Dublin in 1976 but went with his parents to Australia when he was seven and settled in well in New South Wales, in school, where he was a leading sportsman. He starred in rugby and basketball, in which sport he might easily have made a career, but he chose rugby. He played for NSW schools and later played international for Australia as an U19 and U20, graduating to the Waratahs the then Super 12 team. Again, he was there a star and fortunately, for Ireland and us, he remembered his Irishness and. came over to play for St Marys and Leinster, before making his full international debut in 2001 against Wales and afterwards won 27 caps. He was probably the first Irish international out and out open side since Nigel Carr and although He had several career threatening injuries he showed great determination and courage to overcome them and return to play international rugby. It was while in New South Wales he was told about our club, by a Mary’s man who lives in NSW, so Keith came to us and felt an immediate attachment to St Marys and when we needed his help during trying times he always answered the call. His loyalty to the club speaks highly of the man who was described by his coach at Leinster, Michael Cheika, as the embodiment of professionalism.
Having won a Magners’ League title with Leinster in season 2007-08, Keith retired from rugby to return to Australia to follow his professional career in Financial Services and is at present a highly successful Director at A J Gleeson, Financial Advisors, in the Sydney area of Australia, where he lives happily with his family. He is still in touch with his Irish friends and you can see more about him on Linkedin or on Facebook.
D O’Brien