Matt Holland has addressed Roy Keane’s story about him singing the English national anthem at Wembley. In his second autobiography, Keane spoke about national identity and British-born of Irish descent players representing the Republic of Ireland. Holland played 49 times for Ireland and scored for the country at the 2002 World Cup. However, according to Keane, Holland was “as English …
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Roy Keane’s second autobiography is full of some brilliant, interesting stories. One of the more eye-catching opinions from the book relates to the concept of national identity and British-born players of Irish descent playing for the Republic of Ireland. Despite walking away from the World Cup in 2002 – or, being sent home according to some parties – Keane was …
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In the first of a new series that looks at the ‘what ifs’ of sporting history, Craig Farrell ponders just how far the Irish World Cup team of 2002 would have gone if Roy Keane had remained with the squad. History as it stands Ireland lost its most influential figure and captain when Roy Keane and, then Ireland manager, Mick McCarthy fell …
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Seven words uttered by Robbie Keane summed up Ireland’s feelings as they filed on to their bus. “It’s the dream come to an end.” In the cruellest of fashion, Ireland had been beaten, on penalties, having salvaged a 2-2 draw with Spain the second round of the 2002 World Cup. This was a night when Mick McCarthy’s players were filled …
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The media frenzy which will surround the upcoming World Cup will undoubtedly make the country nostalgic for the good times in Irish soccer, when we had a team who could compete with the big powers in the game, on the biggest international stage. Not since 2002 have we experienced the excitement of a World Cup build up, the naming of …
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