MAX O’Leary revealed he took a risky move this week before showing a safe pair of hands on his debut.
Bristol City goalkeeper O’Leary, 28, made his Ireland debut as he kept a clean sheet – the first of Heimir Hallgrímsson’s ten-game reign to date – in the 0-0 draw against Luxembourg.
And he did so with family watching from the stands, including parents Claire and Edward, as they flew from England to see it after he got a hunch that Luxembourg would be his debut.
O’Leary revealed: “My family came over, managed to get last-minute tickets. It was good to have some familiar faces in the crowd and to see them.
“I actually said to them earlier in the week that there might be a chance. You don’t know until it is confirmed. They took a risk and came over but I’m glad they did.”
They then saw O’Leary not look out of place on his debut that has been a long-time coming as he was first called into the squad in June 2019 by Mick McCarthy.
And he showed his worth saving anything Luxembourg threw at him.
He continued: “It is unbelievable. A big occasion for me. I took it in my stride and just wanted to enjoy it more than anything.
“Not think too much about the outcome. Stay in the present. Have a bit of fun out there and get a result for the team.
“Course you want to go and win the game. But we said at half-time that the worst case is we keep it at 0-0, we know we would get chances.
“We hit the bar. Troy Parrott’s had a chance [goal] that was ruled offside.
“Little bits and pieces we know we can improve but we have built foundations, going into competitive game, where we know we can improve.”
But the result could not dampen O’Leary’s delight after his long wait for his debut.
He continued: “I’ve seen a few managers, been in lots of camps so it is finally nice to get that first cap.
“Anyone can play but it is rare to see a goalkeeper come on for a five, ten minute run around cameo.
“When you play you’ve got to stick in there and make it your own. It is my job to push the boys.
“That availability, knowing you might not play, but still turning up, and working every day, I love doing it.
“I love working hard to help others out when I need to, so when it is my time, I am ready to go.
“Even if I didn’t play I am happy to come in and help the group. I feel I can bring something to the group. This time I got my chance.
“I’ve tried to be patient. I’ve been patient pretty much my whole career.
“I’m a bit older now so I know how the game works – you come in and it is something different, being with the boys, different coaches and you can learn off great players as well.
“The group we have got is really good. Caoimh (Caoimhín Kelleher) has been really great with me this week. So has Josh (Keeley).
“We know there are other lads waiting as well, there is a good unit there.”
