Club career: Began his goalkeeping career as an apprentice with his local club Oxford United before moving to Walsall, in a £12,000 deal, in 1973. After six years and over 300 appearances with the midlands club he joined Wolves (for £20,000) on a two-year contract. Had earlier loan spells with Plymouth and Charlton - ended his career when he was 35.
International career: Born in Banbury of Mayo parents, Kearns made his debut for the Republic in September 1970, coming on as a sub for Alan Kelly in a 2-0 friendly defeat by Poland at Dalymount Park. Spent much of his international career competing with Kelly, Paddy Roche, Peter Thomas and Gerry Peyton for the goalkeeping jersey, and was restricted to just 18 caps in nine years. His final international appearance came in the 1-0 defeat by Northern Ireland in the 1979 European Championship qualifier at Windsor Park.
Where is he now? Retired from the game when he was 35 and worked as a steward for seven years at the Aldridge Conservative Club (but, sensibly, never revealed his political loyalties). Now 48, he is the Football in the Community Officer for Walsall and coaches young goalkeepers in the area. Still harbours ambitions to be a manager.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)