Cunningham hails Keane's contribution

Kenny Cunningham has hailed the contribution of Roy Keane to the Irish cause and admits he will be an avid reader of his autobiography.

The Football Association of Ireland today confirmed that Scottish-based company Genesis have been contracted to investigate the problems which erupted in the Far East during the summer to see whether improvements can be made in preparing the national team for major matches.

It was Keane’s unhappiness with the training facilities in Saipan which led to the complaints which finally boiled over into a face-to-face argument between the Irish skipper and coach Mick McCarthy.

Keane subsequently walked out on the squad amid a torrent of abuse and the simmering antipathy between the two men has surfaced again following the serialisation of his book, due to be released at the end of the month.

And, while Cunningham stressed the harmony within the current group of players is strong, as is the desire to produce the goods for McCarthy, he also acknowledged the loss of the team’s best player was bound to weaken the Irish side.

"It would be ridiculous to say we are stronger without him," said the former Wimbledon captain, now with Birmingham.

"He was our captain and still is world-class. I have been fortunate enough to spend some time with him over the years and I found him a fascinating and intelligent man.

"He demands high standards of himself and those around him - that is what has made him a winner.

"I haven’t read too much of what has been in the papers but after everything he has done, I would be lacking in respect if I didn’t say I was interested in what he has to say.

"I won’t be camping outside WH Smiths to get a copy but I will read it - maybe he should send a few free copies to the lads."

By contrast, Cunningham’s international team-mate Jason McAteer is unimpressed by the book’s impending release, and said: "I’d rather buy a Bob the Builder CD for my two-year-old son."

Opinion is still split on Keane’s international retirement, even though McCarthy thought he had answered the critics by taking his team to the brink of a World Cup quarter-final spot this summer.

And it will be the end of October before the FAI’s own investigations are complete.

Genesis have been called in to discover what measures can be taken to help ease the team’s progress into the finals of major competitions.

Keane was particularly critical of training facilities and the kit available. He also successfully overturned the previous method of travelling to games, where officials flew in business class at the front of the plane, with the players in economy behind.

In addition, Keane suggested there were dietary problems which needed to be addressed and also there were too many occasions where the players were being mobbed by supporters.

In contrast to Manchester United’s more rigid approach in the face of supporter bombardment, Ireland have traditionally encouraged the bond between player and fan.

And though he has pledged to implement the report’s findings, FAI general secretary Brendan Menton insisted that will not change.

"We are not just going to follow what happens in Italy or England," he said.

"Culturally we do things our own way but we are as professional as everyone else. I do not see this review as something which puts a ring-fence round the team."

However, Menton admitted Keane’s walk-out had proved the catalyst for the review.

He added that all 23 members of the travelling squad - including Keane - plus the coaching staff were likely to be asked for their observations.

"What happened with Roy was a key element of deciding to have a review but we are trying to look beyond that now," he said.

"We didn’t get involved during the depth of the crisis because we felt it would have only escalated the problem.

"We are prepared to defend ourselves but this process would welcome any valid criticism providing it contributes to the overall debate."