Kelleher ends long drought

Last Sunday Caoimhín Kelleher became the first Corkman in 22 years to win the Premier League.

The former Ringmahon Ranger also became the first Irishman in 13 years to win a Premier League medal when he and Conor Bradley helped Liverpool claim their 20th league title on Sunday at Anfield.

Liverpool beat Spurs 5-1 on Sunday to record their to claim their 20th league title, drawing level with Manchester United as the teams to win the most league titles in England.

The last Corkman to win the Premier League was Roy Keane who won his last Premier League winners medal in 2003.

Kelleher and Tyrone’s Conor Bradley became the first Irish players since Johnny Evans in 2013 to win a league medal. Kelleher became the first player from the Republic of Ireland to win a league title since John O’Shea and Darron Gibson in 2011.

The Blackrock man only conceded 12 goals across his 10 starts despite facing some of the best teams in the Premier League, keeping 4 clean sheets. He kept 10 clean sheets over 20 appearances during the season so far.

He was also part of the Liverpool squad that won the league in 2022 under Jurgen Klopp but didn't qualify for a league medal due to a lack of appearances.

Taking to Instagram, he said: “Champions. Thank you to the fans for a special day, proud to be part of this team YNWA.”

The ‘keeper now holds Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FA, and Carabao Cup medals. Despite the key role he played in this year’s triumph, Kelleher is likely to move clubs this summer as he seeks a starting role at a major club. He has been linked to a number of high profile English, Scottish and European clubs. Last summer Liverpool spent £25m on Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, who will join the club this summer, presumably as a replacement for Kelleher whose contract runs out in just over a year’s time.