I feel this man deserves a thread bump after the campaign. While Parrot deserves a ton of credit, we wouldn't be in the playoffs without Caomhin. I've been in a panic since Lisbon that he'd get a second yellow and miss a match.
We've said for ages that we're spoiled for choices in this position but in truth we're not, it's now a massive step down to the next keeper in the squad.
Our player of the campaign in terms of consistency of performance across all six games. He has developed into an exceptional keeper, genuinely one of the best around.
With the benefit of hindsight it does make you wonder if Bazunu should have stayed at Man City to learn his craft as a backup keeper for another couple of years. It's very hard to argue that the Southampton move has seen him develop his game at all, despite the amount of first team football he has played relative to Kelleher.
I would think it unlikely he will still be at Brentford this time next season. He's a Champions League quality goalkeeper.
Bring Back Belfast Celtic F.C.
I can only reiterate this point - the man is a frucking legend.Originally Posted by Kingdom
But equally, watching his dive for Barnabas' shot, all I could think of was "please just launch yourself CaoimhÃn".
If I question Liam Scales ability to play intl football, refer me to this signature & his peformance at home at lb vs Port on Nov 13 2025.
Signed
Kingdom.
Hard to know. He's not rash - there's patience there as we've seen by how long he remained at Liverpool and I'm still a little surprised he left tbh.
He's not going to City, Arsenal or Liverpool in terms of an English CL club. He ain't going to Newcastle or Villa in terms of a potential CL club, so that only leaves Spurs in England.
Taking a leap abroad...it's hard to know what options would be open to him which he would want to pursue.
If I question Liam Scales ability to play intl football, refer me to this signature & his peformance at home at lb vs Port on Nov 13 2025.
Signed
Kingdom.
thats a great shout out, Tets. I did think to myself - in the frantic emotional state i was in - that it was a bit genius of him to do that.
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
i wouldn't be surprised if he goes back to Liverpool in 18 months as first choice. That's the remainder of Alisson's contract and from what we've seen so far Caoimhin is a better keeper than Mamardashvili. Liverpool generally have a buyback clause inserted that can be optioned after 24 and 36 months for about double the transfer fee they sold for.
Can someone explain this part to me please.
If I question Liam Scales ability to play intl football, refer me to this signature & his peformance at home at lb vs Port on Nov 13 2025.
Signed
Kingdom.
I wouldn't be just so quick to rule out Villa. There is something weird going on with Emi Martinez there, and he would be an able replacement.
Bring Back Belfast Celtic F.C.
His club career is still in its early stages, but that said I’m certain he’s the best keeper we’ve had in my time following the side (from 1990 on).
right at the very end of the game, Kelleher claimed the ball from a cross, then he dribbled out of the box and down the right hand side of the pitch, towards the half way line. Every Hungarian player was marking an Irish outfield player, essentially leaving him as an extra outfield player. It was a calculated risk, if he lost the ball, we had nobody in goals, but equally the Hungarian players couldn't risk closing him down and leaving another player free for him to pass to, and at this stage they know how good his passing is.
It was really intelligent play, used up a few more seconds, and the final whistle came just after he released the ball.
Last edited by tetsujin1979; 20/11/2025 at 12:02 AM.
Not sure he’s proven he’s as good as Given yet.
Perhaps he is or will be.
He’s definitely better with ball at feet but that’s the modern keeper.
Thinking of Given’s big performances against France, Russia, Iran
I watched a documentary on the 2002 qualifying campaign and Given was the unsung hero in that. In fairness for pure shot stopping you'd have them on a par at least but the ceiling for Kelleher is much higher
I think Kelleher gets more chance to show off in the current team too. Some really great stops this campaign. Given didn't have quite as many chances to impress!
This is a very fair statement. Although Gary Breen left some howler runs behind him back in the day 😂
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