Keeper before Bonner

[Dave77]

was talking to a mate and saying how Ireland always had good keepers. so we were going through Irish keepers, we didnt get too far!

so who was the Irish keeper before Bonner (regular keeper, not too interested in caps here and there)

[Billsthoughts]

sheamus macdonagh

[RiffRaff]

..and before McDonagh was Gerry Peyton and Mick Kearns, who both seemed to play above club level when they played. I seem to remember though in the late 70's we only had 4 goalkeepers on the books of British or full time clubs, those two plus Ron Healey (Cardiff no 2) and Paddy Roche (Man U 3rd choice.

[seanfhear]

mick kearns performed well for ireland considering that he was playing in th third level of english football at the time.We should be very appreciative of the efforts of such players for very little reward at the time

[bwagner]

sheamus macdonagh was actually in the movie escape to victory ..he was injured in it and replaced by sly stallone

[Supreme feet]

Paddy Roche was there too. Eight caps, I think. Described as 'possibly the worst goalkeeper ever to play in the top flight' here.

http://www.bsad.org/victory/manu.html

[Superhoops]

Packie got his first cap in 1981 against Poland away. Seamus McDonagh played in the next two games which were WC qualifiers, away to Holland and home to France. Packie then played the next game away to Algeria.

After that, McDonagh played both games in the South American tour in 1982 against Chile and Brazil and Gerry Peyton played against Trinidad and Tobago. McDonagh then played then next 7 games between September 1982 and October 1983 before Packie came in again for the next 2 games. Between May and November 1984, we played 6 games of which Packie played only 1, with Seamus McDonagh playing the other 5. Packie then played the next 4 up to May 1985.

Between May and November 1985 Seamus McDonagh played in all the next 5 games while being with 4 different clubs, Gillingham, Sunderland, Notts County and Withita Wings, getting the last of his 25 caps against Denmark at home in November 1985.

After that it was pretty much Packie, with Gerry Peyton (33 caps) playing the odd game until Alan Kelly Junior (34 caps) came into the team,

The only other keeper that played in that era was Kelham O'Hanlon who, while playing for Rotherham United, got his one and only cap in a 5-0 home win against Israel in November 1987.

As has been mentioned, before Gerry Peyton, there was Mick Kearns (18 caps between 1970 and 1979), Ron Healey (1 cap in 1977), Paddy Roche (8 caps between 1971 and 1975).

Before that it was mainly that great Bray man Alan Kelly Senior (Preston North End, and father of Alan Kelly Junior) who got 47 caps between 1956 and 1973.

In Alan Kelly's Snr's era the other keepers who played were:
- Peter Thomas (Waterford) 2 caps
- Kevin Fitzpatrick (Limerick) 1 cap
- Pat Dunne (Man.Utd) 5 caps
- Dinny Lowry (St.Pat's) 1 cap as a sub for Kelly
- Mick Smyth(Shamrock Rovers) 1 cap as a sub for Kelly

and Noel Dwyer (West Ham and Swansea) 14 caps from who Alan Kelly took over. Before that it was Jimmy O'Neill (Everton) 17 caps between 1952 and 1959.

[Superhoops]

sheamus macdonagh was actually in the movie escape to victory ..he was injured in it and replaced by sly stallone

Was that not Paul Cooper from Ipswich?

[Tipp Townie]

Was that not Paul Cooper from Ipswich?

I was pretty sure it was Kevin O'Callaghan?

I know he wasnt a keeper, but i'm pretty sure it was him whose arm they deliberately break

[Dodge]

They broke O'Callaghan's arm.

Seamus McDonagh went on to be player manager of Galway for a time too.

Nice round Superhoop, always interesting stuff

[Wolfie]

I was pretty sure it was Kevin O'Callaghan?

I know he wasnt a keeper, but i'm pretty sure it was him whose arm they deliberately break

It was Kevin O'Callaghan - wasn't a goalkeeper in real life - last seen on the pitch for Ireland in 1987 as sub against Brazil (I think).

[geysir]

At the time McDonagh played for us in the 5 games in 1985 (especially the last against Denmark) he was well finished as a goalie. He should never have been picked, unless Packie had 2 broken arms.

[Noelys Guitar]

At the time McDonagh played for us in the 5 games in 1985 (especially the last against Denmark) he was well finished as a goalie. He should never have been picked, unless Packie had 2 broken arms.

I agree. Although who can forget that amazing save in 1981 against France which kept the score at 3-2. From a shot by Platini. I was at his debut against Wales which was played at Tolka park. 3-1 to Wales. Eamon O'Keefe made his debut that night as well. Speaking of O'Keefe before the 1985 friendly against England at Wembley O'Keefe came out in the press and said he would play anywhere for Ireland. Our current number 3 Liam Brady caustically suggested the Wembley Car park.

[fergalr]

I agree. Although who can forget that amazing save in 1981 against France which kept the score at 3-2. From a shot by Platini.

Remember it well! Excellent save which capped of a fantastic result.

Seamus (formerly Jim) McDonagh was an all time hero for us - as far as I recall he was the first of the 2nd gen paddies who did the whole "learn and sing in anthem in Irish" thing.

[gspain]

I thought Seamus aka Jim was a decent keeper but too small. Mick Kearns was also a better keeper than a 3rd division keeper. Paddy Roche was suspect although I remember one great game he had for Shels at the Markets Field

Keepers are like centre halves and take time to develop. It took Packie a qhile to establish himself in the Irish team. I don't recall him being a Celtic regular i nthe early 80's either but could be wrong there..

[geysir]

Bonner was a regular first choice for Celtic at the age of 20 or 21, about 5 or 6 years before he became an Irish regular.

McDonagh had his shortcomings none more so than in defending the free kick in the lead up to the Belgian goal 1981, he was lost in the melee of players, you could see this little guy trying to jump up and punch the ball away.