Caoimhin Kelleher 'scored 30 goals-a-season' before becoming star Liverpool goalkeeper

Liverpool star during his childhood in Ireland - before becoming a goalkeeper just three years before being signed by .

The 26-year-old boasts cult hero status on the Kop after a long-line of impressive showings when called upon to deputize for No. 1 stopper . The Cork-born player has made 55 appearances for the Merseysiders since graduating from the Academy, including starts in the EFL Cup final wins in 2022 and 2024.

The 20-time international has stepped up valiantly once more this term after Alisson was injured in October, with having made eight outings this season. However, as the fan favorite continues to earn rave reviews for his performances, it will come as a surprise to many supporters that the goalkeeper only started playing in the role as a teenager.

During an interview with previously, Ringmahon Rangers club secretary Sean Fitzgerald has recounted how Kelleher instead was a a forward in his younger days. He recalled the beginnings of the star's journey back in Cork, saying: "He started at U5s or U6s in our academy and worked his way up. He was a striker; he only went in goal from U14s up.

"He was only a goalkeeper for three seasons before he signed for . He used to score 20, 30 goals-a-season before he went in goal," he remembered, as he explained how his experiences helped to make him the player he is today. He has the instincts, he’s one step ahead all of the time."

Fitzgerald is convinced that Kelleher's stint leading the line for Ringmahon mean that he has an advantage when it comes to predicting the movements of opposition forwards. He continued: "You will see it when the ball bounces in the box, he’s on to it straight away. He knows which way the striker is going to go."

The club official also cast his mind back to the interest that was shown in the goalkeeper during his time with the club, as he revealed that also showed interest in his services. He said: "There was just something about him. There were clubs in England showing interest from him at U16s.

"Manchester United were on to us, then , but he had his heart set on Liverpool. They're the biggest club in the world, so you have to go for them. I say that because I’m a Liverpool fan!"

As Fitzgerald recalls, Kelleher eventually made the move to Liverpool in the summer 2015, rising through the ranks before making his first team debut in the 2019-20 campaign. Speaking of his pride at the stopper's achievements since then, the Ringmahon club secretary acknowledged that the player's success is a source of major civic pride.

He added: "It’s unbelievable to see. All the kids [are inspired], when we put stuff on social media and they hear his name. Especially back in Cork, everyone mentions Kelleher and Ringmahon Rangers [together]."