“I’m not a great one for lapping it up”
Q: It was nice for Liam Miller to score in Cork?
Roy Keane: “We spoke to the players at half-time about going out and expressing themselves, and we didn’t do that in the first half against Cork. They did a lot better in the second half, and I’m delighted for Liam, because he played particularly well in the second period. Being from Cork, it was nice for him to score. I think he’s a particularly good player, and it was important that himself and the lads went about expressing themselves, because they didn’t in the first half.”
Q: Why was that?
Roy Keane: “We’ve had a really busy couple of weeks. Even in the last few days in Ireland, there’s been lots going on, so sometimes it does take 45 minutes to get the legs going. Generally, the players' attitude since we’ve been back training has been top class.
Again, we keep emphasising that they must enjoy it, because if they’re not doing that, then they won’t express themselves.
“The players have represented the club magnificently here in Ireland. Last night (Sunday), we went to the Mercy Hospital, today they were working a lot with the Special Needs kids. They’re giving their all and maybe it took them that 45 minutes to get going.”
Q: Will the hectic pace die down now?
Roy Keane: “I’m not sure. When I come to Cork. it’s hectic, but in a nice way. Even driving to Turner’s Cross, we saw the queue coming in, and as a footballer, you’ve got to recognise that. People are spending their hard earned money to come and watch. That’s why I encouraged them at half time to go out and enjoy it.”
Q: What about Cork City’s performance?
Roy Keane: “All credit to Cork City (I keep saying that, don’t I?). The League of Ireland is now very, very good. Players know how to tackle. The whole idea of pre-season is to prepare yourself against the right opposition. Sometimes it’s better to have mixed results, because if you win every game easily, you can go into a season thinking you’re flying. The players are doing everything they can for the club on and off the field, and that’s part of our pre-season responsibilities. But after the Juventus game (next Saturday), we’ll have a week to prepare for (the opening Premiership game against) Spurs, and we’ll be ready. I know that.”
Q: What did you make of Colin Healy’s contribution?
Roy Keane: “Colin Healy is a very, very good player. He probably could have been a top player, but the injuries...that’s the downside of being a footballer. He can handle the ball, he likes a tackle, he can pass it. To my mind, in terms of the way I see players, Colin should still be playing in England. There’s still time for him, there’s always time for quality, that never leaves you. I’ve no doubt that Colin could make a very good living playing in England. It might be a Championship team but the big clubs should be watching him. Never say never.”
Q: What’s your view on the League of Ireland now?
Roy Keane: “The League is definitely going in the right direction. There’s a lot of players can handle the ball now — League players here always knew how to tackle. You saw it against Cork, there was a few tackles flying in, but if you can’t take it then don’t give it.
“In terms of coming back here, I would have to say that Ireland is the perfect pre-season location. The teams here are well into their season, it’s not a long flight, you generally get looked after. It’s a really good location. The challenge for us was the fact that we’d only been back in Sunderland for a day after four days in Portugal. We worked extremely hard over there. I’m not getting the violin out here looking for sympathy but we have asked a lot of the players in the last few weeks.
“Why do you think so many clubs coming over to play League of Ireland sides? Yes, there’s the PR side, and you can build up support and a rapport with fans, but primarily it’s a good work-out for the players. I can’t remember the last team that come over here and hammered a League of Ireland side. It just doesn’t happen. The teams here know how to tackle, how to get stuck in, how to defend, and there’s the pride thing — a lot of Irish players want to do well against the English teams. I was exactly the same, I remember playing for Cobh against West Brom.”
Q: The crowd were looking for some outlet to embrace you before the game. Was there a suggestion of some formal welcome for you?
Roy Keane: “No. You try to keep it low key. You appreciate it, but ideally you want people to focus on the match. It’s nice when people applaud you, but I want to keep things low key in Cork, that’s the way I’ll always be I hope. I’m home in Cork quite often. If you think I’m going to come out and start waving to everybody, and bowing, then I won’t. People are generally aware of that about me. Of course I appreciate it, but I’m not a great one for lapping it up.”
Q: Are you getting close to your starting XI for the season?
Roy Keane: “We’re getting there. That’s what pre-season is about, it’s chopping and changing. I don’t think any manager will put out his starting XI at any stage of pre-season because it’s the opportunity to try different things, and give players minutes on the pitch. I’m very comfortable where we’re heading.”
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