Cork City's title hopes took a hit on Friday night as they drew at home to Shamrock Rovers at Turners Cross.
That Rovers managed to pick up a point was mainly down to their 16-year-old goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. The teenager was playing in just his fourth game for Rovers and is yet to concede a goal.
"This boy was unbelievable on the night. He was exceptional," said Dave Barry on Soccer Republic on Monday night.
"There was 3,700 at the game so he wasn't playing at an empty stadium - he was right in front of The Shed."
A key moment in the game came after 60 minutes when Karl Sheppard was brought down in the box by Joey O'Brien. Up stepped Kieran Sadlier to take the penalty. It was saved by Bazunu.
"Sadlier had scored five penalties coming up to this," said Barry.
"That was an excellent penalty but this boy, I think he did his homework on Sadlier - I was reading in the papers that he knew which side he was going to.
"All through the night his handling, coming for balls, good hands, he really dictated his box."
Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in the young keeper. Barry believes remaining in the League of Ireland would be best for Bazunu's future.
"For a 16-year-old, he's doing his Leaving Cert, not this year, next year. I would like to see for his own career, stay here, play European football."
'This boy was unbelievable,' 16-year-old goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu starred for Shamrock Rovers against Cork City and kept out a penalty from Kieran Sadlier. #soccerrepublic pic.twitter.com/q1WK5w63CX
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) July 9, 2018
Picture credit: Sportsfile
