Keane is one of Ireland’s most famous sports stars and is now a TV pundit unlike any other. But how much do we know? Here are the best facts about Roy Keane you never knew.
Roy Keane is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and esteemed sportspeople to come from the Emerald Isle, owing to his outstanding career as a footballer and how he led the Manchester United dynasty.
He is also known worldwide for his controversy and is now a regular fixture on Sky Sports as a pundit where his hard-hitting analysis is undoubted entertainment and draws fans and viewers in their droves.
But how well do you know Roy Keane? Read on to find out the top ten facts about Roy Keane you never knew!
10. He was born in Cork – a rebel at heart
First up on our top ten facts about Roy Keane is that he was born in Cork, Ireland’s largest county.
He was born on 10 August 1971 into a working-class family in Mayfield, a suburb in the north-side of Cork city.
9. The infamous Haaland tackle – designed to hurt, not injure
We all know it. When Alfe-Ingle Haaland went for a ball close to Roy Keane after he infamously shouted in Keane’s face when he was injured, Keane took no prisoners and snapped at Haaland’s leg, which was to become career-ending for Haaland.
Keane later admitted: “I wanted to hurt him … I don’t regret that. But I had no wish to injure him.”
8. He was a boxer in his youth – jack of all trades
In his younger days, Roy Keane was also a boxer as well as a footballer. Alongside playing for Rockmount soccer club, he boxed and won a few novice fights.
Even heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua picked him out as a footballer who would be a good boxer.
7. He turned down Blackburn before signing for United – what might have been
Before Keane signed for Manchester United in the summer of 1993, Keane had almost signed for rivals Blackburn Rovers.
He had agreed to sign for Blackburn on a £400k per year contract before Alex Ferguson called and snapped him up.
Keane would earn 25% less than what was promised at Blackburn but would go on to make history with the Red Devils.
6. He made his name close to home – one of the best facts about Roy Keane
One of the best facts about Roy Keane was that he made a name for himself close to him as a footballer when he played for Cobh Ramblers in the 1989-1990 season.
He played 29 times for the club that year, winning nine games and scoring two goals.
5. He played 67 times for his country – answering Ireland’s call
Roy Keane lined out 67 times for Ireland across a 14-year international career, including a 1994 World Cup appearance.
Keane later captained Ireland and may have played more times for his country had he not infamously left the 2002 World Cup camp in Saipan.
4. A lost hurler? – Keane and the Liam McCarthy
For all we know, Keane might have ended up a Cork senior hurler had things been different.
He admitted to Tipperary man Larry Tompkins that, despite winning all he could in soccer, “I didn’t win an All-Ireland hurling medal”.
Indeed, he also admitted once, “I still think the best sport out there to watch is hurling”. Can you imagine Keane pucking the ball in Parc Uí Chaoimh in red?
3. He won Manager of the Year award in his first season in management – born to rule
One of the best facts about Roy Keane was that he won the Championship Manager of the Year award in his first year of management after retiring.
He guided Sunderland from the relegation spots to promotion to the Premier League, an incredible achievement in his debut year.
2. He turned down Real Madrid – a lost Galactico?
When Keane’s United career came spiralling to an end, a line of top clubs sought his signature.
Keane later revealed that Real Madrid had sought him, but the Irishman ended up signing for Celtic, the team he supported, before retiring at the end of the season.
1. Manchester United’s most successful captain – a true leader
In all of Keane’s illustrious playing career, perhaps the most admirable fact about the Corkman is that he is Manchester United’s most successful captain and one of the best Irish soccer players of all time. Over eight years, Keane lifted nine honours as United captain.
His captaincy commenced at the beginning of the 1997-1998 season, and under his tutelage, Man United won four Premier League titles, one Champions League, and four FA Cup titles, including the famous treble in 1999.
