Mark Travers: "It's a really exciting time for Irish goalkeeping"

Seán O’Connor reports from FAI HQ in Abbottstown

After earning fifty caps for his country, West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph lost his place in the squad a year ago this week. Randolph played every minute of Stephen Kenny’s first eight games in charge. However, the 34-year-old is hardly spoken about now, due to Ireland’s recent goalkeeping renaissance.

22-year-old Mark Travers replaced Randolph twelve months ago as Ireland’s World Cup qualification campaign got underway in Belgrade, Serbia. Although Travers’ night didn't go as planned, he has used it as motivation to succeed at club level. The Maynooth man has played 35 Championship games so far this season, keeping 14 clean sheets in the process.

“It was a disappointing result and experience I'll always learn from,” Travers said speaking to the media on Monday.

“I think since that game I've tried to put it in the back of my head and try to get in at club level which I have. Hopefully I can get a chance to prove myself at international level again. Gavin has stepped in since then and done really well.”

Like Travers, Gavin Bazunu and Caoimhín Kelleher have excelled at their own clubs this season. Bazunu has kept 15 clean sheets in 36 appearances for Portsmouth this season, and it remains to be seen if he will return to Manchester City in the summer or move to a different club.

Kelleher, currently Liverpool's number two, has kept seven clean sheets in eight appearances this season. Last month, he impressed at Wembley as 90,000 fans watched his side defeat Chelsea in the League Cup final. Ireland’s goalkeeping contingent has never been so strong, something Travers considered a great honour to be a part of.

“To be in this position at such a young age is a great honour,” he added.

“It's a really exciting time for Irish goalkeeping. You can't be annoyed at it (the competition) you got to take it in your stride and learn from each other."

“This has been a good season for us at Bournemouth. It's a really exciting place to be. We’ll take it game by game now for the last ten games, and hopefully come May we’re in a great position to try and get promoted.”

Another Ireland player fighting for a start is Troy Parrott. The 20-year-old has had difficult loan spells and Ipswich and Millwall but seems to be enjoying his football again at MK Dons.

“It’s gone really well,” said Parrott, who has bagged six goals and six assists so far this season.

“I started the season well then had a bit of a dip in form during the season, but in the last couple of weeks it’s picked back up again. The team is doing really well and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Speaking about the loan move, Parrott admitted that he knew he needed a change, and didn’t want to let his career pass him by.

“It came at a time where I was in and out of the team, and I realised ultimately we get one shot at this football game. Where I was at the time wasn't helping me get to where I want to get to more. I needed to be playing.”

“I wasn't going to let it go by me. Seeing what League One and the Championship are like was really good. I thought maybe the levels would be a lot different and it turns out that they're not. They are really tough leagues. I’m just happy I'm getting game time.”