Skip to main content

A Few Incredible Irish Goalkeepers at the European Top Flight Competition

Image
By

 


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)

 


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The European Elite Teams’ Banter Era in Modern Football

By
  Each of Europe's elite teams has their own 'banter era' in modern football, during which they failed to win any prestigious titles. The 'Banter Era' is defined as a period in which a football team goes through difficult years without winning a notable top title, such as a league title or a continental top flight championship. In this era, teams consistently underperform, producing disappointing results and campaigns. In Europe, almost all elite sides and the powerhouses in the top five league, have experienced such a ‘dark age’, except perhaps Bayern Munich. Some clubs managed to end it before deteriorating , whereas others had to struggle for years before finally putting an end to their misery. Recently, more than one elite clubs have found themselves in the midst of such an unwanted era. Italian giant, Juventus, French side, Olympique Marseille, the Dutch powerhouse, Ajax Amsterdam and last but not least, the once great side, Manchester United. Among those...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Best Champions League Debutant Teams from European Top Five

By
  Only a small number of debutante sides from the European major league managed to progress to the latter stage in the UCL history. Competing in the Champions League has always been the target for all teams in the continent. Let alone the top sides, which is a definite aim for each and every season. No wonder that it is never easy for the elite clubs in the top major leagues to secure one berth in UCL.  However, such is not impossible. This season, three unlikely teams are making their Champions League debut. Bologna, Stade Brestois, and Girona are set to make one of the biggest steps in their history this week. They have eight games to prove whether they deserve to be in this most prestigious continental tournament.  In UCL history, only three teams have been able to reach further stages in the competition in their first appearance. One of them was even able to progress to the final four. Here are those three notable debutantes in UEFA’s number one club championshi...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Managers Taking Charge of the Rival Sides in International Football

By
  Only a few managers who have been up to the rare challenge in taking charge of the rival side of their own nations in international football. Being the manager of your own national team would undoubtedly be an incredible experience for a coach. The pride of leading one's own country to an international major tournament is irreplaceable. However, fate can be cruel at times, and the opportunity to lead a rival nation arises before your own. Such is difficult, but for someone who is unattached, it is simply too good to pass up. This is what happens to Thomas Tuchel. The former Chelsea, Bayern Munich, PSG, and Dortmund manager was recently appointed by the FA as Gareth Southgate 's successor. He is the best available candidate and a proven winner for his team, which matches the desired profile. The only flaw in him is that he is German, England's long-time rival on and off the pitch . Fortunately, such rivalry is no longer an issue in modern era, despite their conflict in...
Post a Comment
Read more