Take that Manuel Neuer.
Shane Long is rightly being heralded for his match-winning contribution against Germany last night but let’s take a minute to appreciate the contribution of Darren Randolph.
Named on the bench before kick-off, the West Ham man couldn’t have envisaged having much to do at the Aviva Stadium until he was thrust into the action when Shay Given was forced to withdraw with injury towards the end of the first half.
Randolph not only made a number of impressive saves to keep a clean sheet against the World Champions, he delivered the booming assist for Shane Long’s winner and we defy anyone to say that he didn’t intend it as a through ball as opposed to a punt up the field… maybe.
3 – Darren Randolph is only the third goalkeeper to assist a goal in Euro 2016 qualifying (Rui Patricio, Pyatov). Bouncing.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 8, 2015
After his notable contribution last night, someone went to the trouble of updating Randolph’s Wikipedia page and we can’t say we disagree with a single word.
Before it’s inevitably deleted, here’s what it says…
In 2015 Randolph became the greatest keeper of all time after a string of exceptional saves and an unlikely assist against the world champions Germany. Randolph managed to keep a clean sheet in the game, whereas Manuel Neuer didn’t, therefore making Randolph the world no.1 goalkeeper by default.
Darren now intends to help his native Wicklow to win the Sam Maguire cup after he delivers the European Championships to Ireland in 2016.
Well, the line about winning the Sam Maguire with Wicklow is just a little bit far-fetched but after last night, anything is possible.
Cheers to Paudie Fearon and Derrick Ruane for sending these our way.
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