Ahern ‘saddened’ to see Keane leave

AS a committed Manchester United fan, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he was saddened to see Roy Keane depart from the club after a 12-year spell.

“Like all Manchester United fans, I am saddened to see Roy depart Old Trafford,” he said.

“He has been a truly inspirational captain for Manchester United and his courage, drive and indisputable footballing skills have time and again propelled his team to victory.”

He said that since signing from Nottingham Forest, Keane has gone from strength to strength and established himself as one of the finest midfielders in modern football.

“Roy has won every honour with Manchester United and is the club’s most decorated skipper. My own outstanding memory of Roy Keane the footballer is his outstanding performance versus Juventus in the Champions League semi-final a number of years ago.

“He was simply sensational that night and his undeniable will to win was the key factor in United snatching victory from the jaws of defeat,” Mr Ahern said.

The sudden decision made at Old Trafford leave Keane go has shocked fans across the globe.

Martin O’Neill, chairman of the Cork area branch of the Manchester United Supporters Club, said the Leesider had effectively been given the shove.

“I’m very surprised he’s gone as quickly as that, although it’s safe to say he had ongoing problems at the club. But when somebody who has given as much service as Roy gets the door like that, it’s a terrible end,” he said.

He believes the recent row over his critical comments in an MUTV interview about fellow players may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“I don’t believe that he’s fallen out with Alex Ferguson, there was too much respect between.”

He can not picture Keane signing a player’s contract with an English club, but believes he might get a coaching job with a Coca-Cola championship side.

The Irish Football Supporters’ Association general secretary Alan Hunter has other ideas. He has already notified Football Association of Ireland boss John Delaney that the fans want Keane immediately installed as a player/manager.

“He can start by winning us the Euro 2008 Championship ... our next major qualifying tournament,” Mr Hunter said.