Cricket commentator Kerry O’Keeffe’s calling card, that irrepressible cackle that is on the tail end of most of his sporting anecdotes, will be resounding through the Old Tongala Pub next month.
But unlike most scenarios where the last person left laughing is the person telling the joke, O’Keeffe’s stories are generally hilarious and well worth the attention.
The Tongala show (Saturday, March 4) is part of what may well be O’Keeffe’s final tour as the 73-year-old winds back his long, and distinguished, career of story telling.
His Echuca-based booking agent, Lloyd Rosenow, said “Skull” (as O’Keeffe is widely known) was slowing down and Tongala was among only four shows he would be doing on what could be “his last ever tour”.
Rosenow played against O’Keeffe four decades ago in Melbourne and, after meeting him a few times, the subject of representation came up when they were having a chat and a beer one night.
“I’ve booked Kerry eight to 10 times a year for more than 30 years,” Rosenow said.
“At his height he was doing 15 or 20 a year.”
O’Keeffe, still an extremely popular member of the Fox Sports commentary team, spent many years with the ABC.
Rosenow said this would probably be the last chance people in this area had to see him and, with only 150 tickets available, they should contact the pub quickly.
“He is about to pull the pin on it and Tonny pub will nearly be his last show,” he said.
“He is appearing at Port Fairy, St Albans Cricket Club in Geelong, Torquay Cricket Club and Tongala pub.
“I could book him out all year round if he was available. In my opinion he is the best commentator since Richie Benaud.
“This time round, however, it has been first in, best dressed.”
Among some of the other stars in Rosenow’s 50-plus stable of personalities are football commentator Brian Taylor and all-rounder James Brayshaw.
Of O’Keeffe he said: “Everywhere he goes it is a sell out.”
“In my opinion he is the best of the lot and the good thing about it is he is a ripper bloke,” Rosenow said.
“He is fair dinkum and no frills — a real champion.”
Rosenow said about 100 tickets had been sold, and anyone wanting to see O’Keeffe in action should phone Sue Walsh at the Tongala Pub on 0427 594399 or Lloyd Rosenow on 0400 580 975. Tickets cost $100, with a light meal and drinks provided for the 7pm-to-11pm function.
People can also make contact with Lloyd if they are looking for guest speakers for their clubs or other functions.
KERRY O’KEEFFE FACT FILE
– Born at Hurstville in Sydney, 1949 (73-years-old)
– Is known in cricket and media circles as “Skull”.
– Made 55 not out and took 6-69 for NSW against the touring England in 1970-71 and was promoted into the Australian team for the fifth test of the Ashes series. He was dropped for the sixth test, but then recalled for the seventh on a spinning SCG pitch. He returned figures of 3-48 and 3-96 with his leg breaks.
– Played 24 tests for Australia, taking 53 wickets (best bowling 5/101) at 38.07 and scoring 644 runs (top score of 85) at 25.76.
– His first-class career included 476 wickets and 4169 runs, with a top score of 99 not out (which, of course, has an entertaining story attached to it).
– Released his book According to Skull in 2004, a collection of his stories that have continued to grow through his commentary on the ABC and with Fox Sports.