Josh Keeley says his first competitive senior international call-up for the Republic of Ireland is his proudest achievement to date.
The 22-year-old Dunboyne native and current Luton Town goalkeeper has enjoyed a quick but steady rise in terms of career progress over the past few years.
From play-off penalty save heroics to scoring a stoppage-time winner in the FA Cup, there have been some unforgettable memories and really big moments in the young Irishman's fledgling career to date.
But he admits that the Ireland call-up is the proudest and biggest moment of them all as he searches for a first competitive senior international involvement for one of the most important matches in years for the Ireland team against the Czech Republic on Thursday night.
He stated: "I got called up in June for friendlies but to now be looking forward to being involved with the squad for one of the biggest games in the country's history is an absolute honour and one I’ve dreamt about for some time.
"I’m just over the moon and so incredibly proud and excited. I was actually out on the golf course when I got the news and found out. I was standing at the tee box and was checking my phone and in came a text message to say that I’ve been called up to the squad.
"It was the other Luton goalkeeper that I was out with and a few of the coaching staff. We finished off the hole as quick as we could and then I told them the news.
"Honestly that moment was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. That moment of reading the message, the immediate excitement and then the realisation of what’s to come in the coming weeks, I’m so proud."
Having enjoyed plenty of underage success with League of Ireland side St Patrick’s Athletic winning the league at Under-15, U-17 and U-19 levels, Keeley played a number of games for the senior side before making the move to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in 2022 where he was a regular between the sticks for the U-21 side.
The following few seasons saw Keeley flourish while learning his trade, with loan spells at Barnet and Leyton Orient where he really impressed. That season saw him keep 16 clean sheets, save crucial penalties across a number of games and score an injury-time FA Cup winner for the O’s.
Form and big moments that have now deservedly resulted in a first competitive senior Ireland call-up from Heimir Hallgrimsson.
The goalkeeper added: "I knew there was a bit of a chance, I’ve seen bits and pieces across the media in recent weeks and months and with injuries here and there I was thinking it might happen, it might not.
"I was keeping myself humble about everything and thinking if it happens it happens and if not I’ll continue to put the head down and work hard anyway."
Keeley was called up to the squad last year for friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg so he has had a taste of the senior set up before, but with such strong competition for places in the Irish goal at the moment he knew if he wanted to continue in Hallgrimsson's thoughts he would have to continue to work hard and not get carried away.
Big decisions came last summer including a permanent move from Spurs to his current club Luton Town, where his impressive displays have continued.
At such a young age it has meant a lot to have his family to lean on in these moments.
Josh’s dad Brendan Keeley also plied his trade as a goalkeeper with Newry Town among other clubs, while his older brother Conor is the current Drogheda United captain in the League of Ireland, so he is not short of sound advice and support when it comes to the game.
"My family keep me grounded and it’s fantastic to have that. My dad said to me yesterday 'You’ve got to focus on Saturday first because you’ve got a big game for your club and then start focusing on the call-up and getting into camp.
"My whole family have been a hugely positive influence on me getting to this moment and achieving this milestone in my career. They deserve a hell of a lot of credit for what they’ve all done. I like reflecting with them when these moments come along because they’ve been central to this journey more than anyone else so far and will continue to be.
"They were over the moon, amazed and just couldn’t believe it when I shared the news with them. I think Conor might have a game himself so he won’t be able to get to Prague but I think my Dad might try and head over alright."
Watch Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland on Thursday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app or listen to commentary on Inside Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
