Nov 23,2024
Wexford stalwart Diarmuid O'Keeffe has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling, the former All-Star departing after 13 seasons with the county.
The 32-year old, colloquially known as 'Dee' by both supporters and commentators alike, made his debut with Wexford in 2012, and subsequently won a Leinster title at Under-21 grade in 2013.
The zenith of O'Keeffe's career arrived in 2019, when he was a central part of the side that claimed Wexford's first Leinster championship title in 15 years, earning an All-Star spot at midfield that season.
O'Keeffe also captained the Wexford U21 footballers in 2013, and won two county senior football titles with St Anne's Rathangan in 2012 and 2014.
"I have loved every aspect of representing the Wexford hurling team since 2012," O'Keeffe said in a statement this afternoon.
"Although I will miss it, it has been a huge honour and I have made memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
"I would like to extend my appreciation to all of my teammates, each of the managers and management teams that I played under, all the coaches that I had during my time playing underage for Wexford and of course, the loyal Wexford fans."
Wexford manager Keith Rossiter paid tribute to O'Keeffe, acknowledging that the dressing room would not be the same for his absence.
"It has been an honour and a privilege to have both played with and managed such a great player. He is incredibly talented and has had a great hurling career, and yet always remained steady and level headed.
"He's a guy for whom I have always had the greatest respect and, while the set-up will not be the same without him, I totally respect the decision he has now made.
"He is a pure gentlemen on and off the pitch and has been immensely popular on every team he has been part of."
