Joe Keyes (rugby league)


Joseph "Keysie" Keyes is an Ireland international rugby league footballer who plays as a and for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Betfred Super League.
He has previously played for the London Broncos in the Super League and Championship. Keyes also spent time on loan from the Broncos at the London Skolars in League 1. He has also played for the Bradford Bulls in League 1 and the Betfred Championship.

Background

Keyes was born in Enfield, London, England.

London Broncos

Keyes made his début for the London Broncos in the Super League against the Widnes Vikings in 2014.
The Ireland international played 28 games for the London Broncos in the Super League, and the Championship between 2014 and 2016 before asking for a release.

London Skolars

Keyes spent time on loan in 2016 at the London Skolars.

Bradford Bulls

Joe Keyes signed for the Bradford Bulls on a 2 and a half year contract.
2016 - 2016 Season
Keyes featured in the Championship Shield in Game 3 to Game 6. He scored against Oldham, Dewsbury Rams, Swinton Lions and Workington Town.
Following the Bulls liquidation at the end of the season, Keyes re-signed with the new Bradford club.
2017 - 2017 Season
Keyes featured in the pre-season friendlies against Huddersfield Giants and Keighley Cougars. He scored against Huddersfield Giants and Keighley Cougars.
Keyes featured in Round 3 and then in Round 5. He also played in Round 7 to Round 11 then in Round 13 to Round 16. He played in Round 18 to Round 23. Keyes featured in the Championship Shield Game 1 to Game 2 then in Game 5 to Game 7. Joe also played in the 2017 Challenge Cup in Round 4. He scored against Featherstone Rovers, Dewsbury Rams, Oldham, Sheffield Eagles, Batley Bulldogs and Rochdale Hornets.
He signed a 2 Year extension with the Bulls at the end of the season.
2018 - 2018 Season
After recovering from a knee injury sustained at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, Keyes featured in the pre season friendly against Dewsbury Rams and Keighley Cougars. He scored against Keighley Cougars.
Keyes featured in Round 1 to Round 8 then in Round 12 to Round 18. He played in Round 21 to Round 25 then in the Semi Final to Final. Keyes played in the 2018 Challenge Cup in Round 3 then in Round 5. He scored against York City Knights, West Wales Raiders, Keighley Cougars, Hunslet R.L.F.C., Oldham, Workington Town, Coventry Bears, Warrington Wolves, Doncaster R.L.F.C., North Wales Crusaders and Whitehaven R.L.F.C..
At the end of the season Keyes signed a 2 Year extension with the Bulls.
2019 - 2019 Season
Joe featured in the pre-season friendlies against Halifax R.L.F.C. and Dewsbury Rams. He scored against Halifax R.L.F.C. and Dewsbury Rams.
Keyes played in Round 18 to Round 27. He scored against Halifax R.L.F.C., Widnes Vikings, Toulouse Olympique, Swinton Lions, York City Knights, Toronto Wolfpack, Barrow Raiders, Dewsbury Rams, Sheffield Eagles and Rochdale Hornets.

Statistics

Statistics do not include pre-season friendlies.
SeasonAppearanceTriesGoalsF/GPoints
2016 Bradford Bulls4122048
2017 Bradford Bulls2339131
2018 Bradford Bulls2312821213
2019 Bradford Bulls108520136
Total60241652428

Ireland

Keyes made his representative début for Ireland in the 2015 European Cup. He went on to make three appearances in the tournament.
In 2016 he was called up to the Ireland squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup European Pool B qualifiers.
He featured against Spain and Russia in Ireland's route to the World Cup.