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A Few Incredible Irish Goalkeepers at the European Top Flight Competition

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The Irish goalkeepers seem to be too rare to have a spotlight in the European top flight competition, UEFA Champions League, or European Cup in the past.

The record on Irish goalkeepers in the Champions League or European Cup have never been easy to find, especially the incredible ones. Such does not appear to be the main stage for them. However, it might change this season with the emergence of Caoimhin Kelleher. The current Liverpool goalie is initially Alisson Becker’s understudy. Yet, his thigh injury has forced him on the sideline. His potential return is on December 14th. During his absence, the Ireland international displayed his true quality, including saving penalties. Kylian Mbappe’s one was the most recent one he denied, which helped The Reds end their dismal run against Los Blancos in the Champions League by snatching a 2-0 win at home.

Kelleher has featured in five UCL games so far: three fixtures this season plus another two final matches at the group stage in the 2020/21 campaign. He has lifted the UCL trophy but not as the first choice. No wonder that this season could be his chance to shine, provided Arne Slot would still name him in the lineup for Champions League games, even after the return of Alisson.

What’s even worse, his contract will end in summer 2026, plus The Reds have decided to sign Georgian goalie Giogi Mamardashvili, who is currently still on loan with his former side, Valencia. Next season, he should be heading to Anfield while Alisson is still the expected number 1. Such would push Kelleher to the exit, should he want to play regularly.

Ahead of the clash against Girona this midweek, which could be the Irish 26-year-old’s final appearance in the UCL this year, let us find out the other Irish goalies have notable form in the Champions League.


Pat Bonner (Glasgow Celtic)

One name who is definitely on the list is none other than Pat Bonner. He was part of the Ireland squad during Jack Charlton’s tenure in the late 1980s to the mid-1990s. It was the period when they made their EURO and World Cup debut.

Bonner played for Scottish powerhouse Glasgow Celtic throughout his career. Thus, he undoubtedly had experience performing in the European Cup. The Donegal-born goalie made his European Cup debut in the 1981/82 season as he helped The Bhoys thump Juventus 1-0 in the first round. Unfortunately, they slumped to a 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.

During his stint from 1978 to 1997, he only made 14 appearances in UEFA’s top-tier competition, and Celtic’s best progress was only reaching the second round. Bonner did help them to do so in the 1982/83, 1986/87, and 1988/89 campaigns. In the 1982/83 season, he even contributed to Celtic’s 2-1 win over Ajax on the road. The shot-stopper with 80 international caps was able to deny Johan Cruyff’s dangerous free kick in the second half. However, despite knocking out the Dutch giant in the first round, Celtic failed to ease past Real Sociedad in the second round. They were eliminated by a 3-2 loss on aggregate.

Games in UCL (clean sheet)

Season

Notable games

2 (1)

1981/82

Celtic vs Juventus 1-0 (1st round)

4 (0)

1982/83

Ajax vs Celtic 1-2 (1st round)

4 (2)

1986/87

-

3 (1)

1988/89

Bremen vs Celtic 0-0 (2nd round)

Shay Given (Newcastle United)

Another Irish goalie in UCL is certainly none other than one of the best Irish shot stoppers in the Premier League, Shay Given. He was the key figure in Newcastle United when they competed in European top-flight competition in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

He was given featured in 14 UCL games and helped The Magpies to reach the second group stage in the 2002/03 campaign. Overall, the former Manchester City and Everton shot stopper only made appearances in two seasons in UEFA’s continental top tier without making a single clean sheet.

Nevertheless, he produced more clinical saves than Bonner to avoid more conceding. Given was quite heroic in his Champions League debut while beating Barcelona 3-2 at St. James Park in the 1997/98 season with his remarkable saves to protect their three-goal lead before eventually Luis Enrique and Luis Figo reduced their deficit. He replicated his form while taking on Dynamo Kiev after conceding twice in the first half. The Toon Army managed to snatch one point in the end, but that was not enough to help them progress to the next stage.


Games in UCL (clean sheet)

Season

Notable games

4 (0)

1997/98

Newcastle vs Barcelona 3-2

Dynamo Kiev vs Newcastle 2-2

(group stage)

10 (0)

2002/03

Newcastle vs Bayer Leverkusen 3-1

Inter Milan vs Newcastle 2-2

(second group stage)

 


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