International Career
O'Leary's international debut with the Republic of Ireland came as a teenager in a 1–1 draw with England in 1976. Following the appointment of Jack Charlton O'Leary was frozen out of the international set up for 2 years. After being left out of a squad for a mini tournament in Iceland in May 1986, O'Leary booked a family holiday which he decided not to cancel when he was eventually asked up to the squad following several withdrawals. O'Leary did not feature until November 1988 thus missing out on Euro 88.
The highlight of his 68-cap international career came in the 1990 World Cup. With Ireland in a penalty shootout with Romania, Packie Bonner saved Daniel Timofte's last penalty. It was O'Leary who then stepped up to take the decisive final penalty to win the shootout 5–4. O'Leary only played 26 minutes in the tournament after replacing Steve Staunton in the Romania match.
Shortly after the World Cup O'Leary scored his only goal from open play for the Republic in a 5–0 win over Turkey in a Euro 92 qualifier.
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