Thankfully our greatest ever player has finally decided to stop holding the country to ranson and at least now the new manager and the players who want to play for their country can now get on with it. Pity about the timing, it could hardly have been worse as it was a kick in the teeth for Brian Kerr but what else should we expect from someone who changes his mind as often as this great patriot. How many times did he change his mind in Saipan? His latest apparent u-turn came after last week's meeting with Kerr when he said he'd definitely return to the squad and would meet the rest of the squad in Scotland this week. But then of course his medical advisers subsequently got to him the next day and now the story is that Roy would love to play for his country again but unfortunately his phuckin hip wouldn't be up to it. How convenient, he wins his way back into the hearts of the Irish people that he disowned last year and if it wasn't for that damn hip he'd be playing for his beloved country again. How extraordinary that he only received this medical opinion five months after his hip operation and coincidentaly the day after he committed himself to returning to the Irish team. I hope Brian Kerr has seen through this carefully orchastrated PR stunt and I hope that he (Kerr) now realises he was taken for a mug. As if Keane wasn't aware when he met Kerr that there was medical opinion that he shouldn't play for his country again! How unfortunate that just 24 hours after committing himself to playing for Kerr he happens to receive the bad news. Keane never intended playing for Ireland again and he told Kerr a pack of lies knowing full well that he was going to row back on his "commitment" the very next day with the not insignificant help of oul whisky face who phoned Kerr to express his concern that Roy made a commitment that was contrary to medical opinion. The whole phucking world knew that Ferguson didn't want Keane playing for Ireland again, are we supposed to believe that Keane never discussed it with Ferguson before he made his "commitment" to Kerr! The whole thing stinks and unfortunately Ferguson and Keane have made mugs of Kerr and it seems most of the Irish public.
I am embaressed to admit that I waas one of the Keane supporters during the Saipan saga and afterwards. Keane can go f himself along with fergie. Some Irishman he turned out to be. He probably had 6 games at most to play for Ireland this year and his medical advisors tell him not to play. Then why is he playing meaningless Worthington cup games? What a liar, maybe McCarthy was right all along...
Seems to me that this latest charade was orchestrated by Fergie and the Manure crowd just like the whole Saipan thing. Didn't want to play for his country only for the Fergie's schilling.
I think that Keane has decided that Ireland's success in recent years has come to an end and the team will sink back to being 'also rans' as they were before the late 80's. He's never going to win anything with the Irish team (even the most ardent supporter would concede that one) and remember he missed Man U's European cup final through suspension. At his age there aren't going to be many more chances of winning the Champions league so I can see why he would want to give up international football to concentrate on that. Anyway I've seen all but one of his appearances for United since his operation and only for half of one game has he looked the player he used to be.
Well I'm not surprised that me old mate Mustard got on here before me, I know how strongly he felt on this matter. I didn't go along with all your suggestions up to this point as I thought you were a bit extreme, however everything you predicted has come true. I agree entirely with your reading of the situation and I'm just disappointed that Kerr didn't see through it - maybe he did but just couldn't come out and infer it! Keane, great player for Ireland (though no better than Giles, Brady & McGrath - from my time supporting - in my opinion) but I will despise him for good after this latest circus. Dunphy of course came out with the usual "honest man, decent man" stuff!!
I have always considered myself in the camp that was totally disbelieving after his antics in Saipan, but that said if his decision is to retire, so be it - let's move on. It does throw up an interesting question - if Robson had been made manager, would he have returned? I'm personally glad Kerr got the job, but if Keane would have played again under Robson, then he simply has no passion for his country and it is all about personalities to him. He also said Ireland would have his full support from now on. I wonder what odds you could get on him ever attending an Ireland game in the future, or actually even watching one on telly. I'm also looking forward to hearing from my favourite sub-category of people - rabid, anti-Ireland Irish Man Utd fans. If we fail to qualify for Euro 2004 I'm sure they'll soon start their gloating and claim if we'd only stood behind Keane in Saipan we mightn't be in this mess. Well lads, I hope you and your 'United through and through' brethern in Malaysia, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Kenya, Peru and Japan continue to get as much pleasure shouting on Uruguayans, Argentinians, Norwegians and South Africans as I will continue to do in cheering on lads who grew up down the road from me and play a team representing my country.
I am glad it all over and not surprised at Keanes decision..best thing to do now is forget about him. He has taken us all for a ride for the last few months and deserves no more attention. I hope Irish performances can make him regret it. Barna Bee I wish I could have made the trip to Glasgow this evening ( I have a broken leg) to cheer on the real Irishmen that have a bit of pride in the green. Keer should use this snub to get his team motivated for the rest of the Euro campaign. Eireann go brea
Although I was disgusted with Keane during the world cup, I was hoping he would come back and all would be forgotten. Despite what Keane's supporters say Saipan will never be forgotten now. I agree with everyone who says this medical thing is simply an excuse, a get out clause, I mean what else were Man Utds medical staff ever going to say? Why did he waste Kerr's time last week? It is interesting to hear Dunphy constantly harping on about how the FAI 'abused' great men like Robson and Kinnear by actually wanting to interview them, yet no mention of how Kerr spent an entire day last week trying to get Roy back for absolutely nothing.
medical condition my a r s e ! does he take us for idiots. okay he's just returned from a serious hip operation but we only wanted him for 6 games in 8 months with perhaps the euro championships as his swansong, at least he could go out with a bit of dignity. any group game we have coming up would be much easier that playing arsenal, juve, milan et al. in back to back competitions. roy will be playing football until he's 35! i smell a rat - a great big scottish, pug nosed, horse owning one. ferguson would prefer if none of his players never played for their respective countries again. i supported keane through this whole affair. i've argued that he's the best player in the world. i've admired everything about the guy - his drive; passion, the fact that he was irish and his commitment (i left that one until last!)....and just when we need him most, after all the huffing and puffing, he rejects us for some old scottish tart. so this is what it feels like to be dumped (my apologies to all the girls i've hurt in the past !ha!) not a nice feeling...a bit like a swift knee to the stones. at least it's over. we all knew it was inevitable, the writing was on the wall but we were in too much in denial to see it. so, as i stare into the bottom of an ice cream carton i can console myself in knowing that i can finally move on. it's the end of the affair. maybe, in time, somebody else will come along and be worthy of my affection but i will always remember roy as my first true footballing love!
...and another thing, What about Paul McGrath? He could hardly bloody walk but still turned out for his country any time he could, and was never as lucky as Roy to win so many medals, and certainly didn't make as much money.
If Fergie was so worried about him playing in meaningless games, then why has he played in every Worthington cup games since he has come back from injury. You could probably add FA cup games as well. What a bunch of deceitful, selfish liars.
Taken from www.football365.com http://www.football365.com/All_News/Premiership_News/story_57045.shtml Manchester United skipper Roy Keane discussed the prospect of retirement with Old Trafford officials as he sought treatment for his long-standing hip problem. The 31-year-old announced last night that he would not be resuming his career with the Republic of Ireland on medical grounds even though new national boss Brian Kerr thought Keane had agreed to return to the fold following his much-publicised World Cup bust-up with Mick McCarthy. Keane's decision has received a mixed reception, with some fans accusing United manager Sir Alex Ferguson of applying undue pressure on his captain to retire from the international arena. However, United have today issued a statement this afternoon which makes it clear just how potentially serious the hip injury which plagued Keane last season, had become. "The orthopaedic surgeon said it was a serious, potentially career-threatening injury," said the statement. "With slow and very careful rehabilitation, Roy has made a good recovery from surgery. "The possibility of retirement from the game following the surgery was discussed but Roy decided it was not the course of action he wanted to take." The statement claimed Kerr was fully briefed about Keane's injury situation by club doctor Mike Stone and that Ferguson was actually in favour of his captain representing his country once again. "Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane were eager for Roy to return to the Republic of Ireland squad," it read. However, it added: "It is self-evident that being able to give Roy periods of rest if his hip becomes a problem is likely to prolong his career. This is possible within a club situation. "The break he gets during international games can only be of benefit to him. "From a strictly medical viewpoint, once the decision to continue playing was taken, any way of limiting the number of games he plays is in Roy's best interests. "It has been in no-one's interest to persuade Roy Keane to retire from international football. Based purely on medical grounds and not football issues, Roy has decided to do what is best for him and his family."
If Fergusson was so eager for him to return why did he come out in the paper saying he hopes Keane retires only a few days ago?
What are the odds that he'll be able to play in crucial pre-season friendlies for Man U in Singapore, the US, Malaysia etc in the summer? Of course, I forgot, they're essential for preparing for the season. Nothing at all to do with oiling the financial wheel of FergusHun's&ManU's empire. How silly of me to put a meaningless exhibition against the Singapore B side ahead of a European Championship qualifier for your country.
According to King Roy, bookies would be unwise to pay out on him never playing for Ireland again. Apparently he can envisage playing for Ireland again if he's no longer at a club that is involved in regular European football (Celtic?!). Can you imagine the furore? A 36 year old Keane announces his return to the international arena with the blessings of his club manager at Scunthorpe amid mass outpourings of adulation from Cork. Do yourself and us a favour Roy - close the book.
- What Cascerino wrote in the Sunday Indo. Not very far from the truth methinks. Ultimately Keane didn't want to play for his country AS I read newspaper coverage of Roy Keane's retirement from international football on Wednesday morning, I wondered how Mick McCarthy was feeling over his cornflakes and coffee in Bromley, near where I grew up. If anyone was entitled to wear an 'I told you so' smile after Roy's announcement that he was no longer going to play for the Republic of Ireland, it was Mick, who was made a scapegoat by Roy last summer in Saipan and was left to carry the can. It's obvious now that Roy's rage in Saipan at Mick was only a flag of convenience. I believe he wanted out of playing for Ireland and used his personal dislike for Mick, and the FAI's sloppy preparations, as an excuse to get out. He said in an interview in Saipan that international football was a nuisance, that he didn't want it. He should have stuck to his guns, formally announced his retirement after the World Cup finals, given his reasons, and he'd have left with his reputation as a fighter of causes intact. By avoiding closure and allowing the story to run for nine months, I believe he left himself open to the criticism which was heaped on his head last week, when he finally decided to call it a day. In my view, he was caught out by Mick's abrupt departure as manager in November as it brought the whole 'will he, won't he' saga back to the debating table. I wouldn't be surprised if Roy went to Alex Ferguson and told him he was in a hole. That might have explained Fergie's comments a fortnight ago about the need for Roy to stop playing international football in order to prolong his club career. When I read his remarks, I became very sceptical about Roy coming back, and Tuesday's statement confirmed my suspicions. No one doubts it's in United's interests for Roy to quit playing for Ireland, but ultimately it wasn't United's call to make it was entirely down to the player. If Roy wanted to, he could have told Fergie that he was going to continue playing for Ireland, albeit only competitive games, for as long as he was selected. What could United have done? Sold Roy? Dropped him? No way, they'd have had to grin and bear the inconvenience. I don't buy the line about Roy having too many games to play. This year, Ireland only play six competitive games and in two of those, at home to Georgia and Albania, Roy could probably be taken off after an hour. It's a handy schedule, made even more so because players put their feet up on international duty, the training is light and there's plenty of time for rest and sleep. It's a break from the routine of club duties where players now train twice a day. United's moan about having to cram in so many games between now and the end of the season was based on the rather arrogant assumption that they were going to be in the final of both the FA Cup and the Champions League. They have now lost to Arsenal in the Cup which gives Roy three more weekends off and if, for example, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, he'd have three mid-week breaks. The spin put on Keane's fitness fears by United is disingenuous in my book. True, he's 31 and had a major hip operation last September, but what has been the difference between United since the turn of the year and before? Without doubt, the return of Roy. He's at the peak of his powers. If Roy wanted to play on for Ireland, he could. Clearly he doesn't and I believe he was misleading people by suggesting to Bryan Robson, Kevin Moran and, only last Thursday to Brian Kerr, that he would be prepared to return. As for the notion of Roy going to Scotland to wish the lads all the best, I don't buy that either. I remember Roy missing a World Cup game because he was injured and when he was back for the next one, I asked him what he thought of our performance. He said he hadn't watched the game. He's not the type who would have been bothered to go up to Scotland for a friendly and indulge in chit chat with the other lads. That's simply not his style. How will he be remembered? Sadly, as a man who ultimately didn't want to play for Ireland, not as someone who was forced to retire because of injury, which is the slant being put on things. The Alan Shearer comparison is handy for United but it doesn't stack up. When Shearer stopped after the Euro 2000 finals, he was just 30 and had peaked at that level. He's a shrewd guy and got out while he was ahead. To suggest he's a better player now because he's playing every week for Newcastle is wrong. Because England have problems up front, Shearer has been linked with a recall but that would be a mistake, and I'm sure he knows it. Roy was a very good player for Ireland and in the last two campaigns, Euro 2000 and World Cup 2002, he was a great one. Up to then, he didn't always take control of games in the way he was capable of, but in the final three years or so he was outstanding. No one had earned the right to play in the World Cup finals last summer more than Roy. I've always admired him for his honesty, as a player and person, but events last week have left a sour taste. If he loved playing for his country, as he claimed he did, there was nothing to stop him coming back. He dug a hole for himself in Saipan and when Mick left the job, he dug a deeper one by suggesting he would return to play for Ireland. I think he was in a bind and Fergie may have helped to bale him out. It wasn't all bad news last week as the Irish team, without Roy, enjoyed a superb result against Scotland on Wednesday night and I can't compliment new manager Brian Kerr, and the players, enough. (That I backed Ireland to be in front at half-time and after 90 minutes only made my smile even wider). Leaving aside the fact that Scotland were a sorry mess, we were disciplined, never looked like giving anything way and we threatened in the final third. There were many plus points; the return of Stephen Carr at right-back, the presence of John O'Shea at centre-back, but, for me, the contribution of Kevin Kilbane summed up the night. Kevin has been having a difficult time at Sunderland and didn't set the world on fire in the World Cup either, but against Scotland he was energised, lively and bursting with confidence. Clearly Kerr's man-management skills have already paid a dividend with Kevin. Looking ahead to the Euro qualifiers, I genuinely feel we can take a leaf from England's efforts in the last World Cup campaign and make up ground after a slow start. There are no world-beaters in our group and if we have Robbie Keane and Damien Duff back on board for the games in Georgia and Ukraine, there is no reason why we can't win both and turn things around. TONY CASCARINO
Keane Gone Sounds just about right to me. As far as I'm concerned, it's a waste of time and energy thinking any more about Roy Keane. As Brian Kerr said before the Scotland game, he only wants to work with players who want to play for their country. I reiterate my support for him and for each and every one of those players. Let's move on. PP - The future's bright...