“He’s done you proud.”
Caoimhín Kelleher is currently on Ireland duty, but still basking in the afterglow of Liverpool’s League Cup final victory.
After being selected ahead of Alisson Becker, as he had been for the Reds’ route to the final, the Cork native had a super display in between the sticks. When it came to the deciding penalty shoot-out, he may not have repelled any spot-kicks, but he did step up to convert what was the match-winning penalty.
“It’s a mad one,” he reflected after the game. “I got close to a few when it came down to me I didn’t even think I had scored the winning penalty.
“I’d forgotten I’d got the winning one. All the lads were class, I was just happy to score. It was more hit and hope. I got close to a few but all the penalties were very high quality thankfully we were able to win.”
Kelleher, who started in goal for Ireland’s 2-2 draw with Belgium, on Saturday, also told Sky Sports, at the time, what his manager Jurgen Klopp had told him – ‘Well done for scoring the winning penalty, there’s a wall with all the goalkeepers on who have won cups so now you can go on that’.
Kelleher has kindly sent back the jersey he wore in that cup final to the Cork club where his footballing journey started. Ringmahon Rovers shared a collage of photos, on Monday, of the jersey, Kelleher lifting the cup and a lovely note attached, penned by Klopp.
https://www.facebook.com/ringmahonrangersafc/photos/a.1273907062691155/5333836720031482/
Jurgen Klopp’s message to old club of Caoimhin Kelleher
Klopp, who earlier in the season described Kelleher as one of the best back-up goalkeepers in the business, added a note to the club, that came with the match-worn jersey of Caoimhin Kelleher.
‘To everyone at Ringmahon Rovers,’ he wrote. ‘Thank you for sending on Caoimhin.
He’s done you proud. Cheers.’
Kelleher will be hoping to feature in Tuesday’s friendly fixture against Lithuania, before returning to Liverpool and playing a part in their pursuits on three more trophy fronts.
