Kids given Keane edge in training session
The youngsters, all aged between 10 and 14, were put through their paces at Turner’s Cross in Cork by coaches from Sunderland FC’s training academy.
The academy is in Ireland as part of the Black Cats’ week-long pre-season three-game tour of Ireland ahead of the 2007-08 Premiership season.
The children won their places at the training camp in an Irish Examiner competition.
Among them was Cormac O’Connor, aged 11, from Cobh. The Springfield Ramblers left back said it was a great experience.
“We learned a lot of skills but we also learned to communicate on the pitch and how to be a leader,” he said.
Afterwards, he joined hundreds of other fans in the main stand to watch Keane lead his first team on to the pitch for an open training session.
Sunderland stars like Paul McShane, Anthony Stokes and Dean Whitehead were put through their paces ahead of tonight’s game with Cork City FC — the second in the club’s tour of Ireland.
Keane was cheered loudly as he walked onto the pitch just after 3.30pm. The Mayfield man smiled and bowed his head, almost embarrassed by the applause.
Dressed in a Sunderland training top and shorts, he strolled to the middle of the pitch and watched his officials supervise as his players limbered up under the new Shed stand.
He talked afterwards with fans and signed autographs.
Ross Ryan, age 10, from Togher, was quick off the mark. Despite tight security, he walked right up his hero and bagged an autograph.
His mother, Rose O’Connor, looked on in disbelief.
“I’m Roy’s number one fan. Ross has met him four times now and I still have to get an autograph,” she said.
Tonight’s game at Turner’s Cross kicks off at 7.45pm and will be screened live on TG4.
Sunderland will hold another training camp in Terryland Park, Galway, tomorrow night for dozens of local children before taking on Galway United on Wednesday.
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