Ten years on...

Ten years ago day Roy Keane walked out on the Irish team in the build up to the World Cup in Japan/South Korea. It was one of those occasions where I can remember exactly what I was doing, jut like 9/11 and the death of Princess Diana, two of the other earth-shattering monumental media events of the past 20 years.

I vividly remember buying a copy of the Irish Times that morning as there was word on the radio that Keane had undertaken an explosive interview with Tom Humphries, where he blasted the Manager Mick McCarthy, the FAI and the whole training set-up. A few hours later word filtered through that Keane had been expelled from the camp after a big bust-up with the Manager. The nation was gripped.

What followed was a debate which carried on for years. This debate aroused more passion in the average Irish person than various referendums and general elections which would have greater implications for the country as a whole. Until it came to the point, only a few years ago where people were sick of the whole thing. I personally think that in the time which has passed since 2002, those who originally sided with Keane may have mellowed, due mainly to some of the bust-ups and outbursts which he has been party to in the recent past, most notably of which were his ultimate downfall at Man Utd, media spats with Fergie and his infamous "who's phone is that?" press conference when manager of Iswich Town. In contrast I believe that those who sided with McCarthy have not changed their opinion.

Anyway the real point of this post is to draw a line under that fateful day once and for all as the Boys in Green are about to embark on a new journey in 18 days time, which will hopefully be less controversial and more successful. Expectations are unusually high this time - it seems half the country has bought a van and will be traveling over. I would love to hear from people out there on how well you think we may get along in the Euros.