Season of utter frustration for hot-headed hardman

ROY KEANE’S decision to quit international football after the World Cup follows a season of utter frustration for the hardman.

In recent weeks, the Manchester United captain has resembled a walking volcano, castigating his colleagues for their deficiencies as the club finished a troubled campaign trophy-less. Despite being hindered by persistent knee problems, Keane’s robotic intensity, as he tried to salvage something from United’s worst Premier League campaign in a decade was both impressive and frightening.

When United surrendered their crown to Arsenal at Old Trafford on May 8, Keane’s personal display was outstanding. Having missed United’s 1999 Champions League triumph through suspension, Keane was desperate to reach this year’s final. But despite scoring a fine goal in Germany, he could not prevent United losing in the semi-finals to Bayer Leverkusen. When Keane trudged bare-chested off the pitch that night, he wore the frustrated expression of a man thwarted by the failings of those around him.

Off the pitch, Keane is a softly-spoken character whose soft Cork accent belies the often rasping content of his comments. On it, Keane is the most competitive player in the Premier League.

He dominates his midfield opponents with his fearsome tackling, constructive passing and unflagging energy. The Irishman has only one weakness - a tendency to lose his cool and get sent off. When Keane moved to Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in 1993, he became what he is today - an awesome force in the game, the envy of managers around Europe.

Whether personal reasons, poor training facilities or just a general disenchantment with life are the driving force behind Keane’s decision to quit is difficult to say. But the idea that, at 30, Keane will have played his last game for Ireland seems absurd. Fans will be hoping that, after the tournament, their hot-headed hero has another change of heart.