Roy Keane

Roy Maurice Keane (born in Cork, August 10 1971) is an Irish international footballer. He plays club football in England for Manchester United, where he also captains the team since 1997. Roy has been regarded by many pundits as a footballing legend and was the key reason for inspiring his team to such great success, on and off the field he is a quality leader. Roy Keane is not related to fellow Irish footballer Robbie Keane.

International Career

At international level, Keane has represented his country 66 times (as of September 2005). Keane was named Ireland's player of the tournament at the {{Wc|1994}} in the USA. In 2001, inspired by Keane as international captain, Ireland went undefeated against international soccer heavyweights Portugal and the Netherlands, famously knocking out the Dutch to qualify for the {{Wc|2002}} in Japan and Korea.

Related Topics:
As of September 2005 - Ireland - USA - 2001 - Went undefeated - Soccer - Portugal - Netherlands - Japan - Korea

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During the summer of 2002, at a pre-World Cup training camp in Saipan, Keane and Ireland manager Mick McCarthy had a disagreement about the FAI preparations for the World Cup. Keane's dissatisfaction with the Irish preparations first came to light in an interview with Irish Times journalist Tom Humphries. After a team meeting at which McCarthy accused Keane of feigning injury, Keane responded by insulting McCarthy and questioning his abilities as a manager. McCarthy decided he had no option but to send Keane home. Neither during or after the meeting did any other player voice support for Keane, although it's thought that some later conferred their support to him in private. Despite efforts from both the media and prominent Irish politicians, the two were unable to come to an agreement and Keane missed out on the World Cup and declined to ever again play under Mick McCarthy.

Related Topics:
2002 - Saipan - Mick McCarthy - FAI - Irish Times

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In Ireland, the 'Saipan Incident' (as it came to be known) split the Irish public right down the middle, with one half of the nation standing by Roy Keane and the other half supporting Mick McCarthy. It was even claimed by some to be the most dramatic ideological split the country had seen since the Irish Civil War. McCarthy went on to manage Sunderland.

Related Topics:
Irish Civil War - Sunderland

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The appointment of Brian Kerr as Ireland manager in 2003 eventually led to the controversial return of Keane in the international arena in 2004. He made his International return on May 25, 2004 in a friendly match against Romania at Lansdowne Road. His performances in subsequent matches made him a firm favourite among fans once more, including some who had spoken of him with such venom during in 2002. He helped Ireland draw away with France and Switzerland in their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Related Topics:
Brian Kerr - May 25 - Romania - Lansdowne Road - France - Switzerland - 2006 World Cup qualifying

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