The saviour! He nearly became a policeman but now Westwood is Ireland's goalkeeping hero
By Colin Young: 28 March 2011
Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood stopped nearly everything that came his way in his side's 2-1 win over Macedonia in Dublin on Saturday night. So . . .
Who is the new hero of Dublin between the sticks?
With Shay Given out, Republic manager Giovanni Trapattoni gave Coventry No 1 Westwood his sixth cap. The Italian didn't regret the decision. The keeper was helpless for the visitors' goal but did everything else right and one late save won the match for Ireland.
It seems like he is pretty good?
Well, Everton, Wolves, Newcastle and Celtic clearly think so - they all have him on their radar. The 26-year-old is out of contract in the summer so he should be appearing for a Barclays Premier League club near you soon.
Keeping it out: Keiren Westwood denies Ivan Trickovski in the dying moments of the match
But isn't he Manchester-born? What is his Irish background?
Westwood qualified through his grandparents Lawrence and Mary, who originate from Wexford. Both died within the last two years so Saturday was a very emotional occasion for the stopper.
'They were just brilliant people,' Westwood told Sportsmail. 'It has been really tough losing them, one after the other.
'They were a massive influence on my life when I was growing up and always there for me. I wanted to play for Ireland for them since I was a kid. Before every game, I have a quiet moment under the towel on the penalty spot to think about them. This was for them.'
Twist of fate: Westwood was close to joining the police force before signing for Carlisle
What's his story?
Rejected as a boy by Manchester United, he spent three years at his beloved Manchester City before they too chucked him out at 19, just weeks after he broke his hand on loan at Oldham.
'As a City fan, I was star-struck,' he said. 'But getting released was the best thing that happened to me and I vowed never to be intimidated again.'
The scrapheap, and police force beckoned, however.
So, he could have been PC Westwood?
Trials at Bradford and Accrington were unsuccessful.
'I played in a testimonial game for an All Star team against Stanley and Everton legends Dave Watson and Neville Southall were the centre backs! We got absolutely pummelled but I was on fire. The manager asked me to play in the next friendly but when I got there, there were two keepers and no kit for me. I left that day.'
Westwood was filling in the application to join the police force when former City coach Andy Rhodes contacted him.
And what happened next?
'Rhodesy rang and said, "Can you get yourself up to Carlisle?" ' recalls Westwood.
'I drove straight up and trained immediately and I have never trained so badly. Dennis Booth was Paul Simpson's assistant, and I said, "I've had a shocker" but he replied, "Nah, you were all right".
'I looked up at him and we both started laughing. He said, "Come tomorrow and play in the game, see how you go". I played against Barrow, did quite well, and (Carlisle manager) Paul Simpson asked me to sign.'
So, he was noticed at Carlisle?
Westwood played for the Cumbrian side for four years, winning two successive promotions, and his first Ireland call-up before a move to Coventry.
He was in the Championship team of the season last year.
And his performance on Saturday ensured it was a good weekend for Ireland?
Read more: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1370525/Ireland-2-Macedonia-1-Keiren-Westwood-nearly-policeman.html#ixzz2S7TOVU8Z" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... z2S7TOVU8Z</a>
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
