Six years of call-ups and still no cap - the Irish star stuck in purgatory
Max O'Leary is hoping to finally break his international duck this week - six years after first being called up by Ireland.
The Bristol City keeper has been knocking on the Ireland door since May 2019 when Mick McCarthy brought him in as cover for Mark Travers.
But since then there have been two managerial changes - plus an interim boss - but still no cap for the English-born keeper who qualifies for Ireland via his Kerry-born grandfather.
O'Leary, 28, said: 'I've been around a while now and seen a few managers. Hopefully, I'll get my opportunity soon.
'I'm ready if needed. I have always been happy to come across and hook up with the players in camp and have enjoyed it every time.
'The atmosphere is great. I'm ready to go and if I get that chance, I'll be happy to take it. It's something I've wanted to do and I've put in the hard work. This is just another thing to tick off, and it'd be a great honour.'
Since he first got called into the Ireland squad, O'Leary has played 125 games straight in the Championship, maturing into a much better keeper than the 22-year-old version of himself.
He says: 'You get into a rhythm of playing, especially with the volume of the Championship, you get to know your body. And feel like I have done well over that longer period of time. Obviously, there are going to be mistakes in there, but the consistency I am really happy with.
'With Bristol City, I had to bide my time and be patient which was how I ended up going out on a few loans. I know I wasn't ready to make that step up.
'Nigel Pearson was the manager at the time and he just said 'go and express yourself, you are going to make mistakes. I don't care. I am going to back you'.
'And I think just having that confidence to step up.'
Now he is seeking the next step with the Boys in Green who play Senegal and Luxembourg this week.
O'Leary said: 'If asked, I will be ready.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Waterford captain reveals ‘important' message the squad received following LGFA Munster final loss
DEVELOPING the staying power required to go the distance will be essential if Waterford are to maintain their upward trajectory. That is the assessment of skipper Emma Murray ahead of this weekend's TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC opener against Dublin. Advertisement Murray and her team-mates were on course to deliver Waterford's first Munster title in 23 years in the recent final against The Déise held a 0-10 to 0-6 lead entering the closing stages but had their hearts broken as Danielle O'Leary and Mary O'Connell netted late goals. Murray told SunSport: 'Obviously you're a bit raw after losing a game like that when you know you've left a bit of silverware behind you. "But you eventually see positives from the performance over 40, 50 minutes. Advertisement Read more on the GAA 'We'll certainly have to take huge learnings from it and bring them into our All-Ireland campaign. I suppose it's about closing out games. "The momentum shifted to Kerry in that last ten minutes and we struggled to get it back. 'The key message within the panel is the importance of making sure you're performing for 60-plus minutes. "The game isn't over until that whistle goes. You have to sustain your performance until you get there.' Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Comment Despite that disappointment, Waterford are a team on the rise. Wins over Mayo, Tyrone, Kildare and defending champions Armagh helped Tomás Mac an tSaoir's side to a third-place finish in NFL Division 1. Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview - They also advanced to the provincial decider by getting the better of a Cork team who eliminated them from Brendan Martin Cup contention last year with a ten-point win at the quarter-final stage. Murray acknowledged: 'We finished fourth in Munster last year so getting to a Munster final was huge progress for us. Advertisement 'For there to only be two points in it against Kerry, and in the round-robin series it was only a point. "Competing like that with the All-Ireland champions is absolutely where we want to be.' 1 It's a big campaign ahead for Waterford who have Leitrim and Dublin in the group stages
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Republic of Ireland vs Senegal predictions, odds and betting tips
THE REPUBLIC of Ireland will welcome Senegal to the Aviva Stadium on Friday night for the first of two friendlies ahead of this year's World Cup qualifiers. Buoyed by back-to-back wins, the Boys in Green will be given a stern test by the in-form African giants, who haven't lost for well over a year. Ireland vs Senegal tips Senegal to win or draw and BTTS - Ismaila Sarr to score anytime - Troy Parrott to score anytime - Ireland vs Senegal odds Find the latest football betting odds for Ireland vs Senegal. Our odds are provided by the Ireland vs Senegal predictions The Republic of Ireland return to action on Friday night against an in-form Senegal side, as Heimir Hallgrimsson's men continue preparations for their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Ireland will be buoyed by back-to-back 2-1 wins over Bulgaria in their two most recent outings. The 4-2 aggregate win sealed their Nations League B survival and provided some much-needed momentum after a difficult few years. Having failed to qualify for the last four major tournaments, Hallgrimsson will be under pressure to lead Ireland to the 2026 World Cup. He will have his work cut out, with the Boys in Green drawn in a tricky UEFA Group F alongside Portugal, Hungary and Armenia. Since taking over in July 2024, the Icelandic coach has overseen a steady improvement, guiding Ireland to four wins in six since a shaky start. Now, he'll be hoping to extend that run of improved form with positive performances against Senegal and Luxembourg during this international window. Hallgrimsson is likely to be without Seamus Coleman for the match - the skipper is still recovering from injury and is unlikely to be risked. The Irish head coach is also likely to experiment at some point with the uncapped John Joe Patrick Finn, Josh Keeley, Killian Phillips and Josh Honohan all included in the squad. Senegal poses a significant threat. The Lions of Teranga are unbeaten in their last 14 matches. The run includes 10 wins and four draws and sees them firmly in the mix to qualify for the 2026 World Cup from CAF Group B, where they sit second in the table with 12 points from six matches. Pape Thiaw's side don't have the services of Sadio Mane to call upon this Friday. But many Premier League fans will recognise Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr, who are likely to be a part of Senegal's front three. READ MORE SUN STORIES Ireland vs Senegal betting tips Despite having the home comforts of the Aviva Stadium in their favour, Heimir Hallgrimsson's Ireland team are the underdogs. Find out if they can prove the bookies wrong in our Republic of Ireland vs Senegal match betting tips below: Senegal to win or draw and BTTS Unfortunately for Republic of Ireland fans, Senegal boast a strong squad with several members regularly playing at the highest level of European football, including the Premier League. As a result, we don't see the visitors losing. But, not all hope is lost. Given Ireland's improvement under Hallgrimsson, we can see at least a goal for the Boys in Green, and maybe even a draw. ➡️ Ismaila Sarr to score anytime Ismaila Sarr finished his club season on a massive high with Crystal Palace. As well as lifting the FA Cup at Wembley, Sarr also scored twice in Palace's 3-0 semi-final win over Aston Villa. In the Premier League, Sarr was just as impressive. He contributed two assists and a final-day goal against Liverpool in his last three league appearances for the Eagles. There are options in this market for Senegal. Sarr's Premier League counterpart, Nicolas Jackson also finished the season well with Chelsea, scoring in his team's 4-1 win over Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final. Jackson is 27/10 to score anytime. We are sticking with Sarr, though, as we believe he is the player in better form and more likely to replicate it on the international stage. ➡️ Troy Parrott to score anytime Troy Parrott has enjoyed an excellent season with AZ Alkmaar, scoring an impressive 20 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions for the Dutch side. While the former Spurs striker has yet to replicate that form on the international stage, this could be the perfect moment for Parrott to make his mark in a green shirt. Heimir Hallgrimsson will be well aware that goals from Parrott could prove crucial in Ireland's push for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. So expect the manager to play to his striker's strengths in a bid to unlock his full potential at international level. ➡️ 📺 How to watch Republic of Ireland vs Senegal Location : Aviva Stadium, Dublin Ireland. Date and time : Friday 6th June, 7.45pm. How to watch : RTE2, RTE Player and Amazon Prime Video. About the author Craig Mahood Craig Mahood is an expert in sports betting and online casinos and has worked with the company since 2020. He joined the Betting & Gaming team at The Sun in June 2022 and works closely with the leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to provide content on all areas of sports betting and gaming. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter at the Scottish Sun, covering Scottish football with particular focus on Celtic and Rangers, As well as football, he has covered horse racing, boxing, darts, the Olympics and tennis for the Sun. Responsible gambling A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chase their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry, or depressed Problem gambling – Gamble Aware – Help with gambling addiction If you have a problem with gambling, or you know someone who does, help is out there. Extern Problem Gambling is the leading provider of information, treatment, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling harms across Ireland. Most read in Betting
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Jack Wilshere faces competition for Plymouth job from ex-England team-mate, 35, as Argyle draw up three-man shortlist
JACK WILSHERE faces competition from Tom Cleverley in his bid to land the Plymouth Argyle job. The Pilgrims are on the hunt for a new manager following Advertisement 5 Jack Wilshere is seeking his first permanent managerial role Credit: Alamy 5 Miron Muslic left Argyle for Schalke last week Credit: Reuters Having employed three managers in eight years between 2015 and 2023, According to Sky Sports reporter The former Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Last season worked at Wilshere's former The ex- Cleverley lasted 14 months as Hornets boss, guiding them to 14th in the Championship last term. Advertisement Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 5 Tom Cleverley was sacked by Watford at the end of last season Credit: PA In addition to Wilshere and Cleverley, former Oxford boss Des Buckingham is set for an interview. Buckingham, 40, guided the U's to League One promotion during the 2023-24 campaign, but was Advertisement Jack Wilshere in race against time as he faces huge 350-mile commute from managerial debut to run London Marathon Prior to taking charge at the Kassam, Buckingham managed Wellington Phoenix and Mumbai City - in addition to various New Zealand age group sides. According to the The identity of the fourth candidate remains unknown, although it is not former rumoured boss Ian Evatt. Having initially been linked with the Pilgrims, ex-Bolton gaffer Evatt is now no longer thought to be in the frame. Advertisement Former Argyle boss Muslic, 42, left to take charge of German second-tier side Schalke - despite claiming to have "fallen in love" with the Pilgrims. Argyle's turbulent few years The Pilgrims are now set for their fifth boss in 17 months Steven Schumacher - Dec 2021-Dec 2023 P 108 W57 D 21 L 30 Ian Foster - Jan 2024-Apr 2024 P 16 W 3 D 4 L9 Wayne Rooney - May 2024-Dec 2024 P 25 W 5 D 6 L 14 Miron Muslic - Jan 2025-May 2025 P 23 W 8 D 5 L 10 In a club statement, chairman Simon Hallett Muslic had replaced Wayne Rooney as Argyle boss in January, failing to stave off Championship relegation. Rooney, 39, was axed following just five wins in 25 matches at the helm in all competitions. Advertisement Alongside the ex-England captain, former director of football Neil Dewsnip also departed. Prior to Rooney's appointment, Argyle had 5 Des Buckingham is also in the Argyle frame Credit: Getty 5 Ian Foster's Argyle stint was even shorter than Wayne Rooney's Credit: Getty Advertisement
