Keane pointing out the reality

In the aftermath of Roy Keane’s recent (often misquoted and regularly misunderstood) criticism of the Irish team and supporters at Euro 2012 there has been a clamour of criticism aimed at the Mayfield man from pundits and punters alike.

While Michael Clifford’s retort to Keane was considered and accurate in many places, it does not do justice to the legitimacy of Keane’s argument.

Irish football supporters have waited ten years to witness their team at a major championship finals, only for the players to capitulate. While the Irish supporters once again lifted the spirits of the nation after a depressing performance by those on the field, Keane was clearly aggravated by the Irish players and FAI officials who waxed lyrical about the fans rather than focus on the shortcomings of the team and the enormous difficulties facing Irish football culture in general.