Alfie Hale: The real story of how Roy Keane signed for Cobh Ramblers

Alfie Hale reflects on the pivotal summer that brought a young Roy Keane to Cobh Ramblers and set a remarkable career in motion

Alfie Hale (right) and Paddy ‘Stinger’ Ryan pictured with recent Manchester United signing Roy Keane in Waterford in September 1993. Alfie was impressed by Roy’s potential while managing Cobh Ramblers.

It’s the summer of 1989. I had just completed my first season as Cobh Ramblers manager which, unfortunately, had concluded in our relegation from the Premier Division, so my thoughts had quickly turned to the new campaign.

Roy Keane, one of a trio of footballing brothers alongside Pat and Denis, was 17 years old when he came onto Cobh’s radar. Mossie, Roy’s father, sought me out for a chat about his three boys, with much of it focusing on Roy. "He’s with Cork City, Alife," Mossie told me, "but he’s not getting a look in there and all he wants to do is play football. So I’m wondering would you be interested in bringing him to Cobh?"