Almost impossible to fill Robbie’s boots

How to replace the irreplaceable?

It’s a narrative running through the heart of Irish sport in recent weeks, like lettering in a stick of seaside rock. Kerry’s Colm Cooper sidelined for the year through injury. Brian O’Driscoll approaching his final curtain call with Ireland.

And then there was last night’s preview of ‘Life after Robbie’. Keane (the younger) has never enjoyed the unconditional awe of Cooper or BOD but his importance to his country can be registered in any number of ways.