'I went on instinct' — Finn's penalty run-up told hero Kelleher all he needed to know

“I think as we’ve seen in the last few years, we’d have drawn or maybe lost games like that," the Ireland goalkeeper said

THANKS FOR THAT: Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson (centre left) embraces Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher (centre right) during the UEFA Nations League Group B2 match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Instincts rather than any intensive research was the key in Caoimhin Kelleher's game-saving intervention as Heimir Hallgrimsson claimed his first home success as Ireland manager

After defeats to both England and Greece, the manager found paydirt in front of 39,163 supporters on Thursday night but it was Kelleher who secured the player of the match accolade for ensuring victory. The stopper kept out Joel Pohjanpalo’s 77th minute penalty and afterwards revealed that the Finn's approach to the spot-kick was most telling.