For many, a Champions League triumph represents the pinnacle of sporting achievement in professional club football. Success in domestic league and cup competition is great, but conquering the continent delivers an altogether different kind of high.
Gold medals secured in the most illustrious of tournaments – which sees the best of the best go head-to-head – are to be cherished as they deliver enough memories to last a lifetime.
Only a select few get the opportunity to savour those emotions, and Ireland has provided a fair crop of them over the years.
Across any given season, odds on football – which cover everything from collective trophy tilts to bids for individual accolades – will be dominated by the biggest clubs and brightest stars. That trend has continued in the current campaign, with Champions League odds currently weighted in favour of 2/1 joint-favourites Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain when it comes to claiming a prestigious prize. Fans across the globe, from Dublin to Dubai, have been thoroughly entertained by another epic battle for supremacy.
Hope springs eternal
What name will be on the trophy in 2025? #UCL pic.twitter.com/lbLEzjYZNN
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 16, 2025
There will be no Irish winner in 2025 – at least not in the men’s game – but the Emerald Isle remains as engrossed as any other. Hope springs eternal that another member of ‘The Boys In Green’ will lift Champions League silverware aloft in the not too distant future.
Historically, gracing the books at Liverpool has aided Irish endeavours when it comes to that quest. Shay Brennan, Tony Dunne, Roy Keane, Denis Irwin and John O’Shea enjoyed European success with Manchester United, but it is a different shade of red that dominates Ireland’s honours list. Steve Heighway, Ronnie Whelan, Mark Lawrenson, Michael Robinson and Steve Finnan all claimed winners’ medals while turning out at Anfield. The same is true for the last Irishman to add that particular memento to his collection.
Back in 2019, Caoimhin Kelleher formed part of the Liverpool squad that saw off Premier League rivals Tottenham 2-0 at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid. He said of that achievement: “It was unbelievable. It’s once in a lifetime. I’ve never experienced that. It’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever had. It was nerve-wracking to be honest. My heart was beating the whole time. Thankfully we got the win.” Kelleher did not get onto the field as Liverpool landed their sixth European title, but he now has well over 60 competitive appearances for the Merseyside outfit to his name. If Liverpool are to go well again in 2025-26, then their Republic of Ireland international shot-stopper may have an important role to play.
The ultimate goal
Caoimhín Odhrán Kelleher. That is all. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/s9xlad9aq9
— Ireland Football⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 14, 2024
There are, of course, plenty of Irish players shining outside of Liverpool. The ultimate goal for all of those occupying that talent pool is to grace the very highest level. Stages do not get much bigger than the Champions League, and the proof is there that dreams really can come true. Cork natives Keane and Kelleher have shown what is possible with the right blend of attitude and ability. At some point, another countryman will follow in their illustrious footsteps.
Who that is remains to be seen, with said fairytale yet to be written, but the summit of a Champions League mountain should never be considered out of reach.
