Josh Keeley Reflects on First Republic of Ireland Senior Call-Up

Luton Town goalkeeper Josh Keeley has described his first competitive senior international call-up for the Republic of Ireland as the proudest achievement of his career to date. The 22-year-classic is eager to embrace the opportunity as Ireland prepares to face Czechia on Thursday evening.

A Rising Star

Keeley’s career has seen a steady ascent in recent years, marked by pivotal moments such as penalty save heroics and a stoppage-time winning goal in the FA Cup. But, he considers the Ireland call-up to be the most significant milestone thus far.

The Moment of the News

“I got called up in June for friendlies, but to now be looking forward to being involved with the squad for one of the biggest soccer games in the country’s history is an absolute honour and one I’ve dreamt about for some time,” Keeley stated. He recounted receiving the news while on a golf outing with teammates and coaching staff. “I was standing at the tee box and was checking my phone and in came a text message to say that I’ve been called up to the squad. Honestly that moment was one of the best feeling’s I’ve ever had.”

Early Career and Development

Keeley began his senior career with St Patrick’s Athletic in the League of Ireland Premier Division, progressing through their academy where he won league titles at U15, U17, and U19 levels. He made his senior debut for St Patrick’s Athletic on July 23, 2021, coming off the bench in a 6–0 win over Bray Wanderers in the FAI Cup [1]. He then signed with Tottenham Hotspur in July 2022 [1], becoming a regular for their U21 side.

Loan Spells and Continued Success

Subsequent loan spells at Barnet and Leyton Orient proved crucial for Keeley’s development. At Leyton Orient, he kept sixteen clean sheets, saved crucial penalties, and even scored an injury-time FA Cup winner. This form ultimately led to his first competitive senior Ireland call-up from Heimir Hallgrimsson.

A Humble Approach

“I knew there was a bit of a chance… I was keeping myself humble about everything and thinking if it happens it happens and if not I’ll continue to put the head down and function hard anyway,” Keeley explained. He had previously been called up for friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg, but recognized the need to maintain consistent performance to remain in contention.

Move to Luton Town

Last summer, Keeley made a permanent move to Luton Town, where he has continued to impress. He currently has 38 appearances for Luton Town as of March 21, 2026 [1].

Family Support

Keeley emphasized the importance of his family’s support, noting that his father, Brendan Keeley, also a former goalkeeper, and his brother, Conor Keeley, the current Drogheda United captain, provide valuable advice. “My family keep me grounded and it’s fantastic to have that… They deserve a hell of a lot of credit for what they’ve all done,” he said.

Looking Ahead

The match against Czechia is a significant one for the Republic of Ireland, and Keeley is focused on preparing for the challenge. His family is fully supportive, with his father potentially traveling to Prague to watch the game.

Watch Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland on Thursday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app or listen to commentary on Inside Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.