Roy Keane Q&A: ‘I’m delighted for Cork and John Caulfield’

On the eve of Ireland's clash with Austria Roy Keane gives his thoughts on a variety of issues, such as ...

Cork City’s FAI Cup triumph ...

“I enjoyed the game and I’m delighted for Cork and delighted for John Caulfield. I had a feeling they might do it. It’s good for Cork City but credit Dundalk as well, I thought they were excellent. The better team on the day maybe but Cork City got stronger as the game went on, and it’s about getting over the finishing line. They suffered last year — I was at the game — and they had to take their medicine. This year it’s Dundalk’s turn.”

Cobh Ramblers’ promotion fail ...

“I was disappointed for them, yeah, but from what I’ve heard Cobh are still a little bit short. They have good young players and whether they can hold onto them is another question.”

Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle ...

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“They believe they will have a chance of starting (in Vienna) and why not? They are playing against really good players in Europe. I think the big problem over the years with League of Ireland players was the question mark over fitness but not with these boys — and I mean other lads in the League of Ireland as well, not just the Dundalk boys.

“That’s a big hurdle they’ve got over in the last couple of years, so that’s that issue (out of the way). Could they deal with going into an international match? Is it a big ask of them? Probably, but sometimes you only find out when you throw them in, and I’ve seen them play in Europe against really good players and they have coped well.”

Conor Hourihane ...

“He probably needs to do just a touch more and I mean that in all aspects of his game. I’m not surprised to see him making a living out of the game and doing really well.

“Every time over the last year or two, with the clubs he’s been with, he affects games and is either involved in a goal by scoring one or setting one up. He’s probably had a quiet month or two, maybe a slight dip in form, but he’s definitely one we need to watch because we don’t have hundreds of players available.”

Harry Arter ...

“We like Harry. If Harry has to start on Saturday, with the one or two injuries, I’m sure he wouldn’t let us down. He has got qualities. But I’m sure Harry would be the first to say he has areas he needs to improve on as well. I’m always quite happy to tell the players the areas they need to improve in.

“What he’s looking to do now is to establish himself with Ireland. I think he’s probably frustrated he hasn’t got a run but that sometimes happens with players carrying knocks or who’ve been injured.”

Austria ...

“They were tough games they had. People are on about dropping points. I think Chris Coleman talked about dropping points against Georgia but, I think he might look on it at the end of the campaign as a point gained. It’s such a tight group. And teams will drop points. The Welsh game was a tough game for Austria. The Serbia game was a tough game for them. But I wouldn’t say there’s any extra pressure on them. Come the end of the campaign there won’t be much between us. That’s why every second of every minute of every game is vital. Try calling how this group is going to finish — very, very difficult. I was asked: Is the next game pivotal? I think every game is vital. Every game.”

Ireland's group chances ...

“Momentum is huge in sport but it will all be dictated by how the group finishes. I’d hate to be top now and, come the end, finish third. ‘But well done — you were top for a few weeks.’ We want to keep that momentum going. And what we’ve found since we’ve come into the job, even with one or two ups and downs along the way, is that we know the players will get in the zone, will create a bit of energy and a bit of spirit, and we’ll be in there fighting.”

The game ending in a draw ...

“It depends how the game goes. If we’re 3-0 up and we drew 3-3 at the end I would be thinking, ‘not sure that’s a great draw.’ If we’re 3-0 down with five minutes to go and we come back 3-3, I’d be thinking it was a decent draw (smiles).”