Roy’s family to attend I Keano in home town

ROY KEANE’S mother and father are set to be among more than 20,000 fans who will watch the highly acclaimed ‘I Keano’ in Cork Opera House during the next three weeks.

The Manchester United and Republic of Ireland star has purchased tickets for his parents, Mossie and Marie, to watch the hit show in their home town.

While it is not yet known when they will attend, a spokeswoman for Cork Opera House confirmed that Keane’s brothers and sisters will also see the sell-out show, which lampoons Mick ‘Macarticus’ McCarthy, on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Keane’s solicitor, Olann Kelleher, took along an autographed shirt belonging to the midfield maestro, which was raffled last night at a pre-show function attended by the city’s leading civic and business figures.

They enjoyed a drinks reception and a ‘Saipan picnic’ featuring gourmet oriental food. Around 1,000 people who attended the show, plus 180 corporate members, had their names entered in the raffle for the shirt. The lucky winner will be notified today.

Cork Opera House marketing coordinator Miriam Forde said the gala opening night and corporate entertainment would enable them to raise approximately €10,000 for capital works on the building.

The show, which hones in on the Saipan bust-up between Keane and McCarthy, is set to run in Cork Opera House for three weeks, with a total of 21 performances.

“It was sold out within three days, which is an all-time box office record for us,” Cork Opera House marketing coordinator Amy Tiller said.

She revealed that the play had been booked again for next March and predicted an equally successful run.

Ironically, Cork Opera House had earlier turned down the money-spinning show, even though the theatre had posted losses of approximately €250,000 in 2004 and €178,000 the previous year.

The two-and-a-half hour show, which has already played to packed audiences in Killarney and Dublin, was last night making its first appearance in Keane’s home city.

Cobh-based actor Pat Kinevane plays Keano, while Dessie Gallagher takes on the role of Mick McCarthy, as the scene is set for a real dig at Ireland’s soccer officialdom and some former international players.