When talking goalkeeping, Kerryman Brendan Kealy is well placed to contribute.
For seven years the he was the Kingdom’s number one net-minder, for now the former All-Star is the Offaly senior football goalkeeping coach. The 32-year-old has long been infatuated with the role of the ‘keeper, and he’s embracing the changes that are impacting on the position in recent times.
“It’s become a position that was just regarded as, ‘Just put someone in there to fill a hole’ to almost the most pivotal position on a pitch,” he says to us at a Fanta Sandstorm event.
How has that happened? Well, first of all, you look at what Steven Cluxton has done, the Dublin man’s trailblazing ways forming the notion that you could actually be guaranteed possession with every single kick-out you take.
You look at what Rory Beggan and Graham Brody do, the Monaghan and Laois keepers respectively desert their nets at every possible opportunity to support defenders and have when they burst out they have the composure of your finest forward in possession.
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A goalkeeper has plenty of responsibilities now.
Kealy is of the school of thought that there’s no point in having a number one rooted to the spot at one end of the field for a whole game when they won’t actually be needed there for much of it. Because he knows they can cause damage when they’re let loose.
“I suppose teams are looking at it now as who’s the one player that’s not being specifically man-marked in a game, with tight defences and stuff.”
“I think it’s a great thing. It used to frustrate me before when you’d be standing in goal for a game and all you’d be doing is watching the ball sail over your head, put the ball down, kick out 60 yards. It was boring.
“That’s why I always enjoyed playing soccer because you were more involved in the game.”
Nowadays, the ‘keeper is the most important player on the field and there is no time for boredom.
“Whereas it’s great now that the GAA goalkeeper is becoming more involved and has to be an all-round footballer. Good with ball in hand, kickouts, communication, reading a game, everything.”
“In every aspect the bar is being raised every year, In terms of goalkeeping as well, the bar is still being raised every year. They’ve become more of an actual footballer now.”
And he’s enjoying life as the Faithful County’s coach in these changing times for keepers.
“It’s very different,” he smiles.
“But very enjoyable in a different kind of way. Overall, it’s an opportunity that came along sooner than I thought it might so I said I’d give it a go. I’ve been really enjoying it now.
“They’ve a fantastic new training facility up there in the Faithful Fields. It’s a great facility to be going to training in,” he says.
Kealy is passionate about his keeping. The Kilcummin club man has more than 30 coaching videos on his Youtube Channel, videos he has put together to help young goalkeepers who may not have access to proper, focused coaching.
“I’ve always loved being a ‘keeper. A lot of young fellas would be messaging looking for advice or tips on this and that and talking to lads in development squads or in county teams who don’t have specific coaching, but who want to develop as a goalkeeper, but they’re just given a football one night in training and told to go away there and work on kickouts.”
Many shot-stoppers will have experienced the moment in training where they are told to go off and do some work by themselves, but they don’t actually have a clue what to do. The wide-ranging videos on his channel provide the perfect solution to that quandry.
“So at least if a lad is going training of a Tuesday night, at least if he looks at a couple of videos, he’ll have a few ideas and he’ll know what to do when the manager does give him a few balls, so he can actually do something worthwhile and can improve himself…It’s not me being an expert, it’s just to give young goalkeepers some ideas.”
As for how he trains the Offaly lads, it’s about striking the balance between involving them with the general squad training and taking them away for some more focused drills.
“We’ll come in and out of the session as the lads need. It’s all about what’s going to bring them on the most. There’d be some nights where it would be just myself and the lads working on things, and then other nights we might have less time together, but they’d still be working as part of the overall team.”
“You’re always evolving it. I love the fact that I’m still playing as well, so I’m doing the training at home so you know what’s working or what could be changed.”
Fanta Sandstorm is back with a bang for 2018, inviting the most adventurous thrill-seekers across Ireland to test their limits on the 5km beach run. Fanta’s Sandstorm will take place at Dublin’s Dollymount Strand on 9 June, before Kerry’s Ballyheigue Beach on 14 July. Tickets are on sale Monday 14 May at €15.
