'Keano' pays Cork hurlers a visit

Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane paid a visit to one of the Cork hurlers' recent training sessions, it has emerged.

The Mayfield man, who announced his retirement from professional football last month due to a long-standing hip injury, was on hand to talk with John Allen's panel last Friday night.

The Rebels, gunning for a hat trick of All-Ireland titles, are in prepartion for Saturday week's SHC quarter-final against Limerick (Semple Stadium, throw-in 5.15pm).

Sporting a beard, Keane spent two-and-a-half hours with the Cork players, chatting informally with them and the backroom staff.

A member of the Cork management team described the 34-year-old's discussion of his career and various other things as "inspirational stuff."

Keane also talked to the Munster rugby squad last October before they got their successful Heineken Cup bid up and running.

Munster and Ireland lock Paul O'Connell said of Corkman's visit: "He didn't give a motivational speech as such. He just leaned up against the physio bed and we asked him all sorts, about players and different things."