KENNY CUNNINGHAM SAYS he had no idea Roy Keane felt so strongly about returning to the Ireland fold as skipper in 2004.
Writing in his new book, The Second Half, Keane says he found it ‘strange’ that he wasn’t reappointed as skipper by Brian Kerr.
“But Kenny Cunningham was the captain,” he writes. “I’d played with Kenny over the years. He was popular with the players. He’d always be organising card schools and quizzes and whip-arounds for the bus driver and for the woman who’d served us tea in 19-fuckin’-52. But most of the lads liked him.”
Cunningham told Darragh maloney on RTÉ this afternoon that he put ‘a lot of effort into those quizzes’.
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“I wasn’t aware he felt so strongly about it when he came back in as captain,” Cunningham said of the issue about the armband.
“Brian [Kerr] kept me in the loop around that time about Roy potentially coming back in to the squad and asked me my opinion of it. He mentioned Roy being captain and I said of course I’d have no problem and I’m sure none of the rest of the lads would have because of the asset he would be coming back in to the squad.
“If Brian had of asked me in terms of if I needed to step down to accommodate Roy as captain, course I would have done it. That would have been the manager’s decision and there would have been no ego involved he felt that was the right decision. Roy would have come in as captain but unfortunately Roy didn’t ask that question of the manager.
“He says in the book he regrets it now and I think he should have done. He probably should have been bolder and come back and stated if I’m going to come back I’m going to come back as captain of this particular football team.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“For one thing it would have probably alleviated me of some of those media duties that Roy was talking about in the book for a start. That’s the only thing but that was a decision for the manager in accordance with Roy. I was out side of that.”
Liam Brady, meanwhile, was highly critical of Keane, saying he lacked professionalism and the timing of book’s publication this week was nothing but a distraction.
“If I was one of those players out there I’d be thinking am I going to be in the next book,” said Brady.
One of the big issues last year was Keane not buying into the “Grass Roots to Green Shirts” community engagement, the same way that Pat Lam did which affected the bond between the general province and the team. Great to see it back on the agenda. Also looks like he’s not only developing a decent squad (which Connacht need, they’ve been too easily disrupted in the middle of seasons by injuries) but he’s also developing a proper team culture again, something that was lacking last season.
Looking forward to seeing what the Westerners do this coming season!
Be great to see connacht become a force. I think everyone would love to see the four irish side in the last eight of the champions cup and the semi final of the pro14
Best of luck to them. Looking forward to 4 strong provinces again, the more competitive it is the better for all the players, coaches, teams (and the fans)
Will be interesting to see how the westies go this year. The last two seasons has seen them fall miles behind Munster and Leinster after winning the league. They need to start developing some players up that direction or long term they will continue to struggle.
Too early to judge how Connacht will do but Friend is doing all the right things to convince the locals. Champions Cup qualification (via the Pro 14) should be the aim. I’m cautiously optimistic…
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One of the big issues last year was Keane not buying into the “Grass Roots to Green Shirts” community engagement, the same way that Pat Lam did which affected the bond between the general province and the team. Great to see it back on the agenda. Also looks like he’s not only developing a decent squad (which Connacht need, they’ve been too easily disrupted in the middle of seasons by injuries) but he’s also developing a proper team culture again, something that was lacking last season.
Looking forward to seeing what the Westerners do this coming season!
@Shane Comer: unfair on Keane really. The guy is a superb coach but it’s a very unique setup in Connacht.
Be great to see connacht become a force. I think everyone would love to see the four irish side in the last eight of the champions cup and the semi final of the pro14
Best of luck to them. Looking forward to 4 strong provinces again, the more competitive it is the better for all the players, coaches, teams (and the fans)
Bring it on. It will be a great season. I feel it in my bones!!!
Will be interesting to see how the westies go this year. The last two seasons has seen them fall miles behind Munster and Leinster after winning the league. They need to start developing some players up that direction or long term they will continue to struggle.
Too early to judge how Connacht will do but Friend is doing all the right things to convince the locals. Champions Cup qualification (via the Pro 14) should be the aim. I’m cautiously optimistic…
Connacht have been friendzoned. …
@Limón Madrugada: is there a funny joke
In there somewhere Don Limón?