O’Halloran finally ready to seize the day

PACKIE BONNER was the first goalkeeper to stand out for Ken O’Halloran.

The endless replays of that save against Romania in Italia ‘90 made an impression on legions of youngsters and O’Halloran was no different.

But the heroics of another man from that same year also caught his eye. John Kerins from neighbouring club St Finbarr’s made a mark with his brilliant fingertip save to deny Meath’s Brian Stafford in that season’s All-Ireland final.

As the years passed O’Halloran’s goalkeeping idols came from across the water. His feverish support for Arsenal saw David Seaman figure prominently on the radar while there was also a grudging admiration for Peter Schmeichel.

His own playing career began by being handed a goalkeeper jersey with Wilton United in the Cork Schoolboys League. Apart from a brief foray outfield during Coláiste Spioraid Naoimh’s Corn Uí Mhuirí success in 2005, he never ventured too far from the posts.

“I went in goal in soccer when I was about seven or eight,” he said.

“Then they put me in goal with the football with Bishopstown as well and then it was the same in the hurling. Sometimes I think it would be nice to be out the field running around and scoring points.”

From those humble beginnings, he made the goalmouth a fortress. In 2004, he got the nod for the Cork minors in both codes and proceeded to maintain that dual status at U21 level. He enjoyed a stellar career, winning three Munster football medals, one Munster hurling medal and an All-Ireland football crown in 2007.

Choosing which furrow to plough at senior level was not a tough choice.

“I wanted to keep both doors open for as long as I could. But I was playing Sigerson from first year in college and from the U21 you could see the likes of Shields and Goulding breaking into the senior.”

Patience has been required to make it at senior level. His contemporaries from the 2007 U21 side graduated quickly. Yet O’Halloran had to wait.

“You have to recognise that when you’re in goal you have to do your time a small bit. In 2007 Quirkey got injured and I was called in for training all the way to the final. That was a good learning curve.

“Conor came in the following year and there were the strikes, so things were a bit weird. I trained for a while that summer and a tiny bit in 2009 but last year was when I really broke into it. I got my first league game down in Páirc Uí Rinn against Galway and then played up in Omagh against Tyrone. They were two great experiences.”

His attitude has always bristled with optimism. After time in the wilderness, O’Halloran is acutely aware how fickle the game can be. He savoured getting the nod to start in six national league ties this spring.

“You can’t get too bogged down in the stresses of it and make sure you enjoy your time here. It’s great to have got a run of games.

“You look at keepers in the Premier League and they struggle when they don’t have that. But I’m not going to get ahead of myself either. If you look at any panel the players turn over quickly. I was talking to Shieldsy the other night and he was saying since he started in 2005 there are probably 20 new players in the squad.”

Building an understanding with his defenders has been an easy process.

“I’m friends with Shieldsy since we were small. We only live down the road from each other. We started off together with Wilton United and then were in school with Spioraid Naoimh.

“I’d have obviously played with Jamie (O’Sullivan) with Bishopstown, and then with Cadogan and Ray in the minor and U21s. So it’s good to have that understanding with your full-back line.”

During the past few years he quietly observed Alan Quirke and Paddy O’Shea, absorbing information. The attention to kickout strategies was crucial and he’s constantly searching for ways to refine that area of his game.

Sunday in Croke Park is about showing what he’s learned. O’Halloran has waited long enough for his chance.