Ireland’s dream team becomes a reality

A new era has officially begun with confirmation that Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane have put pen to paper on initial two-year contracts — with an option to renew for a further two years — to become, respectively, the new manager and assistant manager of Ireland.

The two men took their joint public bow pitchside in San Sebastian last night, as part of ITV’s team covering the Real Sociedad-Manchester United Champions League game in Spain.

And there was a hint of the chuckle brothers about their maiden appearance with O’Neill, when asked why he’d chosen Keane as his second in command, setting the tone by responding: “I’ve asked myself that many a time in the last 48 hours but he’s coming with me.”