Former Manchester United goalkeeping coach held workshop in Mayo town

“It was brilliant, Eric Steele is one of the best goalkeeping coaches in the world. He has worked with the best players, with David De Gea, Edwin van der Saar at Manchester United for example" said Emmet Peyton after attending the goalkeeping masterclass in Westport.

"It was like meeting an old friend, you speak the same language, I could've talked for hours with him" Peyton told The Mayo News after the workshop.

Surprisingly, it isn't the drills, or specific tactical advice, that is most helpful at such an event: "It's the enthusiasm. The biggest thing that I picked up, Eric Steele is 70, and he's still willing to learn his stuff himself, willing to open a conversation with you, that makes him a very good coach" Peyton explained. 

Killasser native Emmet Peyton has plenty of goalkeeping experience himself. He played for Sligo Rovers and Nottingham Forest. Meeting a personality like Steele, who also coached talents in England international squads, was a huge occasion.

Obviously participants were out for the 'little nuggets' as well. For example: "The three yard rule. As in one-on-one situations for a goalkeeper, it's important not to rush out of the goal to meet the opposition striker, but rather be brave, stand a few yards in front of the goal line and stay up big in the goal, unless the approaching striker makes a bad touch."

Also Steele elaborated on the change in goalkeeper's function in a modern soccer team: "They have to be much better with their feet. It used to be 70% shot stopping and 30% ball distribution and now it's the other way round. The goalkeeper becomes the extra man on the pitch" Peyton reiterated.

Currently a teacher at St Muredach's in Ballina, Peyton also works as goalkeeper coach for Ireland U-15 Girls. He was one of many coaches from Mayo and beyond taking part in the two-day workshop held in the Castlecourt Hotel and the Westport United facilities. 

The event was organised by Partry native Derek O'Sullivan, himself an experienced coach with Galway United. The Eric Steele goalkeeping masterclass was the first time a coaching workshop with goalkeepers at this magnitude was hosted in the West of Ireland. 

Emmet Peyton training with FAI international teams in Abbotstown.