AG Rugby Acquires All-MLR 2nd Team Center Mark O’Keefe

AUSTIN, TX (December, 7th 2021) AG Rugby is thrilled to announce the signing of 2021 MLR First XV center Mark O’Keefe. O’Keefe is coming off a breakout season and looks to add more firepower to the AG backline. 

Sam Harris knew he had to acquire the speedy Irish-born center for 2022, “Mark O’Keefe had an amazing match against us last season when RugbyATL came to Austin, and after that – I knew we had to have him. He has tremendous speed and line-running ability and we feel he’s only just begun to crack his potential.”

After two seasons on the wing with Rugby United New York, O’Keefe signed on with RugbyATL and made the position change to outside center. It proved to be a savvy move as he racked up impressive attacking stats; week after week sitting amongst the league’s best in meters carried. O’Keefe’s production helped RugbyATL to the top of the Eastern Conference; edging out his old team RUNY along the way. While RugbyATL fell short in the championship match against the LA Giltinis, it only fueled Mark O’Keefe’s hunger to lift the MLR shield, a task he believes is attainable with his new team in Austin.

Mark O’Keefe is in a really good headspace ahead of the 2022 season. “Every season in this league has been different – now I have a chip on my shoulder and something to prove, I want to hit the ground running. I’m a bit learn and quicker and I have the experience now of playing in big matches – playing in the coliseum. I feel like a real veteran in this league and certainly, with a young, hungry team like the AGs I think I fit right in.”

O’Keefe has put up impressive numbers in the AG’s Sports Performance testing this off-season and looks to be primed for another big season.

Welcome to the AG Family, Mark O’Keefe!