Keith Treacy


Keith Patrick Treacy is an Irish footballer who is a former Republic of Ireland international who last played for St Patrick's Athletic. He spent his youth at Belvedere and began his professional career at Blackburn Rovers. Treacy has also played for Stockport County, Sheffield United, Preston North End, Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Drogheda United and St Patrick's Athletic.

Club career

Blackburn Rovers

Treacy started playing football with Belvedere for the youth team, before signing his first professional contract in 2005, keeping him until 2008.
On 23 November 2006, Treacy joined Stockport County on a one-month loan deal. Treacy made his Stockport County debut, in a 1–1 draw against Macclesfield Town on 25 November 2006. Treacy made four appearances for the club. After ending his loan spell at Stockport County, Treacy signed a new contract with the club on 12 June 2007, keeping him until 2011.
After signing a new contract with the club, Treacy made his Blackburn Rovers début in a League Cup tie against Portsmouth as a substitute and made his first start against Coventry City in the FA Cup third round in a 4–1 defeat back in 2008, before being substituted off and replaced by striker Matt Derbyshire. Treacy made his league debut for the club in the opening game of the season, in a 3–2 win over Everton on 16 August 2008. Treacy went on to make twelve appearance throughout the 2008–09 season.
In July 2009, Treacy joined Sheffield United on a six-month loan deal, making his début for the Blades in a 0–0 draw with Middlesbrough on the first day of the 2009–2010 season. He soon followed his début up with two assists for the Blades against Watford the following week and a stunning long range goal three days later in a midweek match against Leicester City. After starting the season as a regular in the Blades side he had dropped out of the team by November and terminated his loan stay early to return to Blackburn in mid December.
Upon returning to his parent club, Treacy was soon placed on the transfer list in the January transfer window. Treacy later talked about his time at Blackburn Rovers, stating that only Manager Paul Ince have confidence in him and that under the management of Sam Allardyce lead Treacy considered quitting football.

Preston North End

He signed a -year contract with an option of a further year with Preston North End on 1 February 2010. Following his move to Preston, Treacy defended his move to Blackburn's arch-rivals, Preston North End, was only for to play football.
Treacy made his Preston North End debut on 2 February 2010, in a 4–1 loss against Barnsley. He scored his first goal for the Lancashire outfit in a 3–1 defeat Crystal Palace on 5 April 2010, followed up by scoring and provided an assist, in a 3–2 win over Scunthorpe United five days later. In the second half of the season at Preston North End, Treacy scored twice in seventeen appearance. A few weeks after the 2009–10 season, Treacy had a successful operation on his hernia.
At the start of the 2010–11 season, Treacy started things well when he scored the winning goal in a 2–1 win over Bradford City. In the local-rivalry against Burnley on 11 September 2010, Treacy scored and provided an assist for Jon Parkin, in a 4–3 loss. He scored his second League Cup goal of the season on 22 September 2010, in a 2–1 loss against Wigan Athletic, eliminating Preston North End from the League Cup. Six days later on 28 September 2010, Treacy scored his second league goal of the season, in a 6–4 win over Leeds United., followed up the next game on 2 October 2010, in a 1–1 draw against Reading. Weeks later on 23 October 2010, Treacy scored his fourth league goal, in a 4–3 win over Crystal Palace. Treacy's fifth goal later came on 15 March 2011, in a 3–0 win over Scunthorpe United, which later followed by scoring 2 goals in a 3–1 win against his old club, Sheffield United on 16 April 2011. Even though Preston North End were relegated to League One, Treacy finished the 2010–11 season with Goal of The Season Award and making forty-one appearance and scoring nine times in all competitions.
Following Preston North End relegation to League One, Treacy announced his intention to leave the club, stating he prefer to play in higher level than League One. Manager Phil Brown later confirmed that four clubs were keen to sign him, though the bid is yet to be made.

Burnley

On 31 July 2011, Burnley confirmed that they had had an offer for Treacy accepted and that he would discuss personal terms with the Clarets. A day later, he signed a three-year deal after completing a medical.
He scored on his début, coming on as a substitute on the 65th minute against Watford. The goal was the final goal in a 2–2 draw at Turf Moor. After scoring on his debut, Manager Eddie Howe praised Treacy's performance. His second later came on 17 September 2011, in a 2–1 loss against Peterborough United. Unfortunately, Treacy suffered a hamstring injury in training that kept him out for two weeks and made his return against Millwall on 1 October 2011, coming on as a substitute for Marvin Bartley in a 1–0 loss. Treacy then provided a double assist on 29 November 2011, in a 4–0 win over Ipswich Town. However, Treacy's form and fitness began to falter, resulting him not being in the starting line-up, prompting Manager Howe insisted Treacy remained at the club throughout the transfer window.
After returning from loan at Sheffield Wednesday, Manager Howe expected Treacy to return to the pre-season training ahead of the 2012–13 season and also expected to use him in the first team as well. After missing the first two games due to a groin injury, Treacy made his first appearance since returning from a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday, coming on as a substitute for Joseph Mills in the 73rd minute, in a 2–0 loss against Huddersfield Town on 25 August 2012. His poor performance against Plymouth Argyle in the second round of the League Cup led him being sent to the Development Squad. After months at the Development Squad, Treacy was recalled to the first team under the new management of Sean Dyche and made his first team return on 15 December 2012, coming on as a substitute for Danny Ings in a 1–1 draw against Watford. He started his first game in a year for Burnley in the 1–0 defeat against Leicester City on 29 December 2012 and scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win against Sheffield Wednesday on the first day of 2013. After the match, Treacy praised Dyche for giving him a second chance at Burnley. His first team return saw him make fifteen appearance and scoring once.
In 2013–14 season, Treacy started the season well after scoring his first goal of the season, just three minutes after coming on as a substitute, in a 3–0 win over Yeovil Town on 17 August 2013. After the match, Treacy praised Dyche for putting his career on track and credited the fitness coach Mark Howard for helping him lose weight and improving his physique. Treacy then set up a goal for Jason Shackell on 31 August 2013, in a 3–0 win over Derby County. Treacy's second goal later came on 15 February 2014, in a 1–1 draw against Bournemouth. However throughout the 2013–14 season, Treacy's first team was largely restricted to substitute appearances, although he's opened to sign a contract with the club.
Despite helping the club promoted to the Premier League for the first time since 2009, Treacy was released by the club, having remained a fringe player in the first team squad under managers Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche.

Loan Spell at Sheffield Wednesday

In effort to boost chance to make to the Ireland Squad for UEFA Euro 2012, Treacy joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season.
Treacy made his Sheffield Wednesday debut two days later, coming on as a substitute for Jermaine Johnson in the 78th minute, in a 1–0 win over Leyton Orient. After making appearance, mostly from coming on the bench, Treacy scored his first Sheffield Wednesday goal, coming from a direct free kick and provided a winning goal, in a 2–1 win over Brentford on 28 April 2012. After scoring once in seven appearance, Treacy hinted he could turn his loan move from Sheffield Wednesday into a permanent basis. However, the club wasn't keen on signing Treacy on a permanent basis and returned to his parent club.

Barnsley

On 6 August 2014, Treacy was announced to have signed for League One team Barnsley on a two-year contract.
Treacy made his debut for the club in the opening game of the season, coming on as a substitute for Danny Rose in the 66th minute, in a 1–0 loss against Crawley Town. Unfortunately, Tracey's start to his Barnsley's career went bad after needing rehabilitation. Treacy then scored his first Barnsley goal on 22 November 2014, in a 2–1 loss against Chesterfield. However, just six months into his contract, he left Barnsley by mutual consent in January 2015, after he had made 16 appearances.

Return to Ireland

Treacy returned to Ireland and joined struggling Premier Division side Drogheda United midway through the season. His two goals in eight games was not enough to help his side avoid being relegated on the final day of the season, and he left the club to sign for another Premier Division side, St Patrick's Athletic on a one-year contract. Treacy played 14 league games for the Saints through the season, scoring one goal away to Derry City. He featured in all 4 games in the club's UEFA Europa League campaign but was not in the squad for the League Cup Final as Pats beat Limerick 4–1 to retain the trophy.
On 29 November 2016, Treacy came out and spoke to the media about how 'Depression has been an issue for all of my career', his struggles with it through 2016 and how he was eyeing a possible comeback to the game in 2017.
On 20 August 2019, Treacy spoke about his desire to return to playing League of Ireland football.

International career

Treacy was first called up by Republic of Ireland U21 in November 2007. However, his debut was delayed after suffering a hamstring injury in training ahead of the match. Treacy finally made his Ireland U21 debut on 20 August 2008, scoring in a 1–1 draw against Austria U21.
On 11 August 2010, Treacy made his senior international début for the Republic of Ireland against Argentina, coming on as a substitute in the second half for Keith Fahey in the first international at the new Aviva Stadium in Dublin. On 24 May 2011, Treacy earned a starting place winning his third cap with an impressive display in the 2011 Nations Cup game against rivals Northern Ireland.

Career statistics

Club

International

Personal life

On 12 October 2014, Treacy married his long-term girlfriend in Ireland, causing him to miss the Yorkshire derby against Bradford City.
On 29 November 2016, Treacy opened up about his struggles with depression throughout his football career.
In August 2019 Treacy spoke about his previous struggles with alcoholism during his career.

Honours

;Sheffield Wednesday
;St Patrick's Athletic
;Awards