Keane back in Manchester

Roy Keane arrived back in Manchester today after being banished from the Republic of Ireland World Cup squad by manager Mick McCarthy.

The Manchester United skipper, though, was whisked away through a side entrance away from the waiting media in the main terminal, presumably en route to his house in near-by Hale.

Keane had earlier touched down in Heathrow before catching a transfer flight to the north-west.

Wearing a white sports T-shirt, blue jeans and white trainers and clutching a black holdall, Keane looked refreshed despite the long journey from the Far East.

The 30-year-old smiled at waiting camera crews and photographers, but stepped immediately into a waiting car and onwards to his connection.

Keane was sent home by McCarthy as the manager believed he had become a disruptive influence within the squad.

While the Republic party travelled to Izumo in Japan yesterday, Keane did not leave Saipan with the official party and travelled home alone.

FAI treasurer John Delaney confirmed that both the association and Manchester United had offered to organise Keane’s travel arrangements.

But he said Keane had turned down the FAI’S offer.

Before boarding the flight to Tokyo, Keane appeared to be in upbeat mood. ‘‘I feel great and have a clear conscience,’’ he said.

‘‘I am happy to be going home to see my family it’s good to be going home.

‘‘I have no regrets. There are more important things to worry about.’’

McCarthy felt he had no alternative but to send the country’s most high-profile player home, saying he could not tolerate the level of abuse being directed at him.

Keane’s dismissal brought to an end a turbulent 24 hours in his controversial career.

He asked on Wednesday to be left out of the squad for personal reasons and Colin Healy was drafted in.

The Old Trafford star then had a change of heart overnight, leaving the young Celtic player disappointed.

The following day Keane criticised the FAI and Ireland’s World Cup preparations in an interview with the Irish Times.

That was a bridge too far for McCarthy, who felt Keane’s continued presence would have a destabilising effect on the squad.

Ireland are continuing their warm-up for the start of the World Cup next weekend with a game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, where the half-time scoreis 1-1.