Latest news with #MaxO'Leary
Extra.ie
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
'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.'
RTÉ News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'Happy to help, ready if needed' - Max O'Leary eyeing Ireland debut
Patience is deemed a most virtuous trait; tolerance, however, has not yet reaped its reward - Max O'Leary has been waiting six years. The Bristol City keeper was first called into the squad at the end of the 2018-19 season to train alongside Darren Randolph and Sean McDermott ahead of Euro 2020 qualifying games against Denmark and Gibraltar. But as the goalkeeping guard changed over the next couple of years, O'Leary found himself on the periphery as the emerging trio of Caoimhín Kelleher, Gavin Bazunu and Mark Travers brought a serious level of competition for a place in the squad. O'Leary was called up again in March 2022 and has been knocking around for the past three years, consistently reporting for duty without seeing any minutes on the pitch. There is, however, a sense that this might change during the upcoming doubleheader against Senegal and Luxembourg. "Of course, it's something I've wanted to do," said O'Leary, when asked was he desperate for his first cap. "I've been around a while now and seen a few managers. Hopefully, I'll get my opportunity soon. "I'm ready to go and if I get that chance, I'll be happy to take it. I've put in the hard work, and it'd be a great honour. "I think it's been a similar sort of situation as the past. Keep doing well at club level and hopefully, you'll get a chance to play. Obviously, these are friendlies in this camp, so there might be a chance there. I'm ready if needed." O'Leary comes into camp off the back of an impressive season as club level, helping Bristol City reach the Championship play-offs, and he has now been an ever-present in the starting XI for over two seasons – he has played 125 league games in a row for the club. And the 28-year-old believes that his game has progressed over the past few seasons playing consistently, which has helped him to mature into the role. "I have definitely matured and you get into a rhythm of playing, especially with the volume of the Championship," said O'Leary. "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. "Nigel Pearson was the manager at the time [of breaking into the team], 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." O'Leary was asked was it tough to always play the back-up role for Ireland, however, he explained that he remains happy to help out in whatever way possible. "You prepare the same whether you're playing or not playing," he said. "I had my time of not playing when I was younger. Whatever I can do to help who is playing, I know I'd want the same if I was playing, so just to have that good environment in training, pushing each other and just making sure we get everything we need for the games is always the most important thing. "Putting whoever's playing first rather than yourself has been good, whether that's Caoimhín, I know Gav's played before when I've been here. Whoever it is, I'm happy to help."
Irish Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
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.'
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Injured Seamus Coleman and Sammie Szmodics withdraw from Republic of Ireland squad
Andy Moran has been called up to Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad for the Republic of Ireland's friendlies with Senegal and Luxembourg, with Seamus Coleman and Sammie Szmodics missing out through injury. The FAI issued a squad update on Thursday morning as the squad trained ahead of the first of two end-of-season friendlies, against Senegal at Aviva Stadium on Friday, 6 June (Live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player). Moran of Brighton and Hove Albion - who was on loan with Stoke - is only the fourth player who spent last season in the Championship included in the squad, after Max O'Leary, Robbie Brady and Jason Knight, as Hallgrimsson has opted to rest several players who completed their gruelling second tier seasons earlier this month. Coleman played only 18 minutes of his first Everton start in five months, against Southampton, while Szmodics made one substitute appearance for Ipswich after a three-month lay-off with an ankle injury. Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Max O'Leary (Bristol City), Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient) Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolves), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Strasbourg), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston) Midfielders: Jason Knight (Bristol City), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jack Taylor (Ipswich), John Joe Patrick Finn (Stade De Reims), Andy Moran (Blackburn Rovers)
Irish Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Irish player tracker: Final weekend of EFL action full of joy and pain
It was the final weekend of the EFL season, filled with drama across the board, with plenty of Irish players right in the middle of the action. It was a weekend filled with jubilation, heartbreak, and, in some cases, lingering questions of 'what if?'. Kicking off in the Championship, Saturday delivered a whirlwind of emotions for Irish players caught up in the battles at both ends of the table. Josh Cullen's Burnley were pipped to the title thanks to Leeds scoring a 91st-minute winner against Plymouth. Burnley became the first team in English football to finish on 100 points and not win the league but more importantly, they're heading back to the Premier League. The race for the last two playoff spots was tense from start to finish, with goals flying in across the grounds. On a positive note, Bristol City battled back from 2-0 down against Preston to earn a vital point – enough to secure sixth place – thanks in large part to standout performances from Max O'Leary, Jason Knight and Sinclair Armstrong. Their reward is a playoff showdown with Sheffield United, who did them a favour by holding Blackburn Rovers to a 1-1 draw, keeping the Robins two points clear. READ MORE Sadly, despite the best efforts of Mark Travers and Finn Azaz, Middlesbrough fell to a 2-0 defeat against Coventry City, ending their hopes of reaching the playoffs for another year. Both players impressed and did all they could to spark a comeback, but the hosts proved more clinical in front of goal, leaving Michael Carrick's side facing yet another season in the Championship. Despite entering the final day with a slim chance of making the playoffs, Aidomo Emakhu and his Millwall team-mates faced the daunting task of beating Burnley at Turf Moor. Although they took an early 1-0 lead, the title contenders rallied and came back to defeat the Lions. At the bottom end of the table, Mark McGuinness, Millenic Alli and Luton Town were unfortunately relegated to League One. Despite Alli's impressive brace, Luton fell 5-3, sealing their fate and sending them down. It was a day of celebration for the Irish players at Hull City, Preston, Derby County and Stoke City, who all managed to avoid relegation. A special mention goes to Bosun Iowa, who marked his long-awaited full debut for Stoke City out of position at right wing back and delivered an exceptional performance in such a high-pressure match. In League One, Josh Keeley and Ollie O'Neill capped off a great season by helping Leyton Orient secure a 4-1 victory over Huddersfield Town, clinching a spot in the playoffs. Keeley came into the side in October with the O's struggling in 19th place and seemingly headed for relegation. However, a dramatic 99th-minute equaliser by their goalkeeper in the FA Cup sparked a turnaround for Orient. Now, they'll face Stockport County in the playoffs. It was an emotional rollercoaster for the Irish lads at Bradford City, who sealed their promotion to League One with a dramatic 96th-minute winner. Neill Byrne, Colin Doyle, Ciarán Kelly, Tyreik Wright, Lewis Richards, Calum Kavanagh, and man of the match Tayo Adaramola all played key roles in The Bantams' successful promotion campaign. The Irish contingents at Notts County, Walsall, Wimbledon and Chesterfield are heading to the playoffs. In the Premier League, it was a relatively quiet weekend for Irish players, with Nathan Collins and Jack Taylor standing out. Taylor made his first consecutive top-flight starts, featuring in Ipswich's 2-2 draw with Everton, while Collins was named man of the match in Brentford's impressive win over Nottingham Forest on Thursday night and played a crucial role in Sunday's 4-3 victory over Manchester United. Elsewhere, Adam Idah scored his 19th goal of the season in a 1-1 draw against Rangers at Ibrox, while Jaden Umeh and Benfica's under-19s secured the Portuguese National Championship with a 2-2 draw against Porto. Player of the Week: Jason Knight (Bristol City) Led Bristol City to a playoff place that no one predicted at the start of the season. The midfielder has been ever-present, playing every minute of every league game, and his consistent, high-level performances have been central to the Robins' remarkable rise to sixth place. Goal of the Week: Millenic Alli (Luton Town) Just TWO minutes after going behind in the game, Luton have brought themselves level and are now OUT of the relegation zone 💥🟠 — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) Millenic Alli takes the honour after scoring two stunning efforts in Luton Town's 5-3 defeat to West Brom on the final day. Despite the disappointment of relegation, the former St Francis schoolboy has been exceptional in recent weeks, consistently standing out for the Hatters, and his goals on Sunday were a testament to his quality. With performances like that, it's no surprise he's attracting attention and expect plenty of Championship clubs to chase his signature this summer. Stat of the Week: Jason Knight and Seán Roughan (4,140 minutes) Only six outfield players in the entire EFL played every single minute (4,140) of the 2024/25 season — and two of them are Irish! 🔝 - Jason Knight 💪🏼- Sean Roughan Iron men. Top professionals and players. — Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) Just six outfield players across the entire EFL completed every single minute – 4,140 in total – and remarkably, two of them are Irish: Jason Knight and Seán Roughan. To go an entire campaign without missing a minute is a rare feat, and their performances have been vital throughout.
