Keough had one of the best seasons of her career in 1989. She retained her UK title, winning in 52.37. Then at the European Cup in Gateshead, she ran 51.66, to finish second behind East Germany's Grit Breuer and ahead of that years World Indoor Champion, Helga Arendt of West Germany. In retaining the AAAs 400 m title, she improved her PB to 51.09. She also earned selection for the IAAF World Cup in Barcelona, as a member of Europe's 4 x 400 metres relay squad. The American magazine Track &amp; Field News ranked her in the top ten of their world merit rankings in the 400 metres, at #7.