LUCK OF THE IRISH RUNNING OUT (Roy Keane)

Member Name: C_Padd

Product:	Roy Keane
Date:	27/05/02 (75 review reads)
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For once the biggest piece of news coming out of Japan and Korea was not about David Beckham’s toe, but a rather sensational bust up between Roy Keane, Irelands skipper and midfield star and manager Mick McCarthy. It ended in the Manchester United star being sent home in disgrace and a pretty undignified end to him international career.

I was a big admirer of Roy Keane as a player. He is and still is one of the best midfielders in the English game at the moment, in his role maybe the best in the world. Having stared from humble beginnings from working class family in Cork he was spotted by a scout from Nottingham Forest playing for a local side. Brian Clough was prepared to chance him, at only 19 Keane made his debut against Liverpool at Anfield. His glowing performances for Forest earned him the young player of the year award in his second year and attracted the attention of several top clubs. When Forest were relegated soon after Keane signed to Manchester United for £3.75 million at only 23.

At Manchester United Keane has blossomed into a top quality midfielder and a key part of the success that made them the team of the decade. Despite not being too much older than some, Keane was inspirational to the likes of Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Neville and so on. With United Keane won the double twice as well as the league and internationally competing in the World Cup 1996. A knee injury saw him miss out on several games and come back stronger as well as missing out on the European Cup after a booking. His style of play is uncompromising, he gives out tough tackles and runs miles during the game. He is the ball winner around a star midfield at United, though is good at distribution as well. As a leader he is great and a natural for the role. He speaks his mind and does not mind telling players where they are going wrong.

For all his talents as a player Keane has let down Ireland. This came after a bust up with the team manager Mick McC
arthy on the training ground. The cause of this was the conditions for the training ground in the Far East. The team kit had arrived late, there were no changing facilities properly available and the ground was rock solid. This is not the ideal conditions for World Cup preparations, and like so many times Keane spoke his mind. He quite reasonably had a point, it just has a sad ending. Originally Keane had this dispute on the day the team list had to be submitted, this time he pulled out of the squad but was re-instated after he came back and decided he wanted to play. He also announced his intentions to retire from international football after the World Cup. There were all sorts of rumours that Keane booked himself onto a flight, and I don’t know how it was resolved. Obviously tensions were high at this point and a second argument with McCarthy personally was the end. Keane was kicked out of the squad by McCarthy in disgrace.

I am totally with McCarthy on this one. Keane has done wrong and he acted as he should have done and has acted in the past. You simply do not launch off into such a personal and foul mouthed attack that Keane is reported to have done by McCarthy. Knowing him Keane did do something along these lines and let his temper get the better of him again. You can not do that as a professional. You are the worker and he is the boss. Keane may have been getting ideas above his station, but he should learn to respect his higher management. You do not do that in football, especially at this time and at this level. Even for youth teams I played in you are taught not to have a go at the manager. It is an unpleasant situation that Keane has pushed Ireland into with his big mouth. Whatever the problems they did not need to go this far. Keane has said some things, and now his pride and nature refuses to do the best thing.

The unfortunate thing was if Keane left earlier a replacement could have been called up, but now it is too late. Kea
ne is still registered for the World Cup and could come back in time to play next week, but this is an unlikely resolution. Keane has said he is willing to cancel his retirement as soon as McCarthy steps down, while McCarthy has no intentions of doing that. Some people say that McCarthy has overreacted and has bitten his nose off to spite his face. The fact that the teams performance could suffer should have made him more lenient of Keane. Sorry, that is totally the wrong way round, if the teams performance was at stake it should have been Keane to back down and apologies. McCarthy has nothing to answer for and Keane is and always will be the guilty party. Keane is currently on about £50,000 a week at Manchester United. When he plays for Ireland he will be paid, but not nearly as much. Representing your country is the highest honour, especially at the World Cup. It is not done for the money. Keane deciding to step down from international games to concentrate on his club for me is an act of greed. It is clear where his priorities lie and he has no intention of coming back at the end of McCarthy’s reign. No, Keane has done wrong and has made his choice. Money talks and Keane is listening.

The most important thing is how this will affect Irelands chances in the World Cup. Keane has let them down with no replacement. In his place Kinsella and Holland will play most probably in the middle of the midfield. Neither have the talent or the domination of Keane, but are not bad players at all. Matt Holland especially could shine brighter now. There will be more pressure on the team, people will be looking closely and have a ready made excuse. One player does not make a team, Ireland have plenty of quality at the back and can score and create upfront. Keane will be missed for sure, but Ireland are strong. What they done want is for splits to form in the team, one for McCarthy and the other for Keane. They need to forget this and keep going ready for their first
game against Cameroon.

Overall I feel that Keane has let himself and more importantly the whole team and a nation. McCarthy is not totally without blame and there could have been a solution to this is one backs down. There is still time for Keane to come back if this is resolved, but this is unlikely with the two people involved being as stubborn as each other. At the end of the day Ireland can only do their best. Keane missing will be a loss, but positive things can still happen. Best of luck for them in the World Cup, shame on Roy Keane.

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