'I'm ready to go' -- Max O'Leary desperate to make Ireland debut
Once Bristol City's season ended with a play-off defeat to Sheffield United, Max O'Leary took a couple of weeks off. He needed the rest.
The goalkeeper knows all about the exhausting schedule of England's second tier, having played 125 consecutive Championship matches for the Robins.
It is something, Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson acknowledged when naming the squad a few weeks ago. Goalkeeper Max O'Leary during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
'This June window has been tough or tricky for Ireland in the past. I would guess the reason is that, after a long season like the Championship, playing two games every week and a lot of matches at the end of the season, players are tired, both physically and mentally,' said the Icelander.
All the same, the Bath-born custodian was more than happy to cut his holiday short and join up with the Ireland squad.
Given that Caomhín Kelleher had to take time out of the camp to finalise his move to Brentford and with Gavin Bazunu and Mark Travers both injured, there's a sense that the stars could align for O'Leary to make his Ireland debut, something he has craved for some time. Goalkeepers Max O'Leary, left, and Josh Keeley during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
'Of course, it's something I've wanted to do. I've been around a while now and seen a few managers. Hopefully, I'll get my opportunity,' O'Leary said earlier this week. If his chance does come, it will more likely be in Luxembourg on Tuesday night rather than against Senegal tomorrow, but O'Leary insists he is ready.
And it has been a long road for the 28-year-old to get to this point. It took him a while to establish himself as the No. 1 in Bristol (left), going out on loan to National League clubs as well as Shrewsbury Town in League One. But once he was given his chance, he grabbed it with both hands.
'Hopefully. 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. Goalkeeper Max O'Leary during a Republic of Ireland media conference at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
'This is just another thing to tick off, and it would be a great honour,' he says. 'I have definitely matured as a goalkeeper, and you get into a rhythm of playing, especially with the volume of games in the Championship, you get to know your body.
'And I feel like I have done well over that longer period of time. Obviously, there are going to be mistakes in there with so many games, but the consistency I am really happy with.'
Liam Manning, who managed Bristol to the play-offs this season, has had the utmost faith in O'Leary, and the goalkeeper says that it was just about having the patience to know his chance would come. Goalkeeper Max O'Leary during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
'It is all about timing sometimes. I had to bide my time and be patient, went out on a few loans. I know I wasn't ready to make that step up.
'So, I just had to be patient and wait for an opportunity, just try and take it and stay in. To be fair, I had been in for five or six games when I went in first, picked up a little knock and missed the rest of the season. After that, I think I got in after 15 games and played the rest of the season.
'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 try and express myself and help the team when I can really helped at the start and just carried it on.'
His international teammate Jason Knight was made Bristol City captain last season, and O'Leary reckons that added to his game.
'I think for him, it was a big step up at the beginning of the year, being made full-time captain.
'To see him grow into that role has been really good. I think he's been a bit more vocal around the Ireland camps, and he's really stepped up on the pitch for us this year at club level. I know he can bring those performances here as well.'
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