Ireland will benefit from Kelleher move says John O'Shea

RTÉ News​

2 days ago

Caoimhin Kelleher was back training with the Ireland squad following a quick trip back to England on Monday regarding his club future.
The Ireland keeper is reportedly on the brink of securing an £18million move from Liverpool to fellow Premier League side Brentford.
However, the deal has yet to be confirmed and assistant coach John O'Shea was unable to add anything further to the ongoing story other than to comment on his performance in this morning's training session.
"He was training today, he trained very well," said O'Shea, speaking at Tuesday's post-training press conference.
"Listen, we've nothing to confirm yet. Obviously, it's not for us to confirm anything. But listen, if it does happen, fantastic. If it doesn't, we still have a very good goalkeeper on our hands either way.
"Obviously, it's out there, where he might have been or where he might have gone to. But we can't confirm anything yet."
But O'Shea did concede that Kelleher playing regular football as a number one at a Premier League club can only benefit the national team, and the former Manchester United defender feels that it will bring a high level of consistency to Kelleher's performances.
"Like the manager has always stressed, we'd love our players to be playing. It's as simple as that. He's obviously at a very good club, has had success, and whatever happens next, hopefully he's playing.
"It's as simple as that. And we hope the same for all the squad, that they get themselves playing as much as possible. It just helps us because, this man alongside me (Jason Knight) is so consistent and you can see in his performances for us the benefit of playing week in, week out, maintaining that consistency.
"That's what you want in a team because obviously the time-wise, when we get together, the limited time period we have, the more fitter the players are, the better it will help in the game.
"Obviously, it's not an easy thing for him to do. He's proven the quality that he has every time he's been asked to go in as the number one for Liverpool, that they haven't missed Alisson when he has been injured.
"I think that's what the whole of Europe has seen when Caoimhin has been in goal for Liverpool. So, listen, whatever happens, I'm sure we'll get the benefit of it.
Looking ahead to Friday night's game, O'Shea is expecting a tough test from a decent Senegal side and he expects the fixture to have a high-level European feel to it at Aviva Stadium.
"They will have different attributes, but also they have that quality of maybe a top European team that can hurt you on transition attacks, technical ability, speed," said O'Shea.
"So we have to be very careful in terms of when we are attacking, that we're not leaving ourselves vulnerable, they have that pace and power to hurt you.
"They've obviously been on a very good run themselves too, a run of form. So don't concede too many goals, it'll be a very good test for the lads."
The Ireland women's side have a vital Nations League clash against Slovenia at Páirc Uí Chaoimh this evening, and O'Shea is hopeful that the squad will get a chance to sit down and enjoy the spectacle on television.
"Hopefully we'll all be able to get in front of the screens later on," said O'Shea.
"We'll have a little debrief ourselves later on this evening too in terms of training today.
"So I'm sure they'll have a fantastic atmosphere down in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and fingers crossed Carla and the girls will do the business."