Caoimhín Kelleher on Ringmahon windfall: 'There are good people there that would know what to do with that money'

NICE CATCH: Ireland keeper Caoimhin Kelleher in Abbotstown. 'There's good people there that would know what to do with that money.' Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher is glad that a hefty €3m slice of his transfer fee will serve the needs of his schoolboy club Ringmahon Rangers.

Clever club officials brokered a 20% sell-on clause when Liverpool snapped up their graduate a decade ago, a clause triggered by Brentford’s €16m purchase in June.

The largesse — of which 20% cascades to Rockmount, where he spent four months, but is added to by €250,000 of Fifa solidarity payments – exceeds previous amounts grossed by Irish clubs for a sell-on bonus.

Ringmahon have highlighted the inter-generational impact that the windfall will have by turbo-driving their quest to develop modern facilities for their 42 teams, male and female, from under 7s to senior grade.

Kelleher hasn’t been briefed on the specific plans for the spend but is confident it will be put to productive use.

“I've not spoken to them about that, no,” said the 26-year-old while in Ireland camp for Saturday’s opening World Cup qualifier against Hungary at Lansdowne Road (7.45pm).

“I think that's their decision. I was really happy to see that they were able to get that money. I think it would be great for them to help that community as well. It would be good. But that's not my decision.

“There's good people there that would know what to do with that money.” 

Also on the topic of local matters, Ireland’s No 1 was asked if he’d see himself following his brother Fiacre’s pathway of finishing his career back at his hometown club. The 29-year-old former Celtic and Macclesfield Town centre-back was appointed captain after being recruited in the summer window.

“I'm not sure,” his younger brother mused. “It's a good question. We'll see. It's possible. Hopefully that's a long, long way down the line. But I'm not sure.

“But it was nice to see him come back to Cork.”