The Roy Keane effect: Why Ireland’s rugby greats looked to the Cork football icon

The former Manchester United captain’s relentless standards inspired Munster and Ireland rugby players searching for a competitive edge

TOP MAN: Johnny Sexton chats with his favourite footballer Roy Keane. Pic: Dan Sheridan, Inpho

By the time Roy Keane was starring for Rockmount in the 1980s, there were soccer teams sprinkled all across the northside of Cork City. Some came and went quickly, others were long-standing institutions, but it was, by some distance, the most popular participation sport in that part of town. In contrast, there was a solitary rugby club catering for this entire half of the urban population. After Sunday’s Well crossed south of the river and moved their home base to Musgrave Park in far-flung Ballyphehane in the 1940s, Old Christians were the lone standard bearers for those wanting to fling around the oval ball. This proved convenient for some interlopers.