ROY KEANE WAS in remarkably upbeat mood when he pulled up a chair to be interviewed by Ray D’Arcy on TodayFM.
Maybe it was because the sun was shining, maybe it’s because Fergie got his last decision so, so wrong or maybe it was simply because he was in Cork.
In any case, his good humour got him talking freely (if briefly) on a range of subjects. Here’s what we learned from Ray V Roy.
1. Mo’ money, no problem… as long as players put the effort in
“The top players I’ve worked with, it’s got nothing to do with money. I’ve come across people in all walks of life and I think it’s the same: It’s nice to be rewarded, but motivation comes from within.
“Whether I was playing in Rockmount of Cobh Ramblers, or in front of 70,000 people… The motivation comes from within.
“I wouldn’t begrudge players their money. As long as they’re giving it their all. We all have things we like to spend our money on.
“I’d always remind people don’t take your eye off the ball, remember what got you the Houses the Bentleys and the blondes.
“Big contracts and the medals are the reward for the hard work.”
2. He was very upset when Triggs died…
“Of course it is [emotional]. Ask anyone who has had a dog for a long time, it’s upsetting. But she was a good age, she was sick and within a few months I got another puppy, maybe that helps.”
3. … but he’s never read the autobiography
4. He thinks managers and coaches should make an effort to stay fit
“I wouldn’t be one for mad training in the gym, I still go the odd time but I picked up good habits as a player. I look after myself in terms of a good diet and walking and a half decent lifestyle.”
“I think it’s important for a manager to feel physically good, it’s good for the head. I’d hate to be one of these ex-players who puts on loads of weight. You have to have a bit of pride.”
“It’d be hard to be taking coaching sessions when you’re stone overweight. If you’re carrying a message to the players about fitness and diets and sleeping well, then I’d hate to be coming across as ‘I’m not looking after myself’.”
5. When it all boils down to it, the man just loves puppies!
In case you didn’t guess that from his long association for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
He is now the owner of a Labrador and a German Shepherd, though he regrets getting both pups at the same time.
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“Particularly with the pressures of football, I always liked getting and out walking my dogs.
“They’re time consuming and hard work don’t get me wrong, but I find it a great way of switching off.”
6. They can read his mind (which is just as well ‘cos he won’t talk to them)!
Ray asked if Keane would talk to his dogs and got one predictable and one unpredictable response:
“I’d shout at them. I wouldn’t be one for sitting down and talking to them.
“It’s amazing what they pick up on. Particularly when I was a manager I’d get out of the car and straight away they’d know the result. Generally speaking, we got beaten, so they’d be dreading me for the next few days.”
7. He was delighted that Liverpool lost yesterday
But only because it meant all the Liverpool fans flying from Manchester to Cork weren’t gloating in his ear.
However, the seven-time Premier League champion added this sagely advice:
“I wouldn’t be writing them off, the pressure builds and people see the finishing line. It’s not about how you feel physically towards the end of the season, it’s very much a head job.”
8. If you want to shut him up, ask who he thinks will win the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.
He gave a heavy sign and a glum one-word response: “Kilkenny.”
9. Brazil will win the World Cup
“People talk about the pressure on them to win a home World Cup, but I think they’ll enjoy that pressure. Brazil are always under pressure to win football matches.”
10. He’s kind of sick of strangers asking him questions
“People are constantly looking for information.
“‘What am I going to watch?’ ‘What do I think of him?’ It can be pretty tiring… ‘what kind of car am I driving, what I had for my dinner.’”
Like we said, he was in GREAT form. Listen back to the whole interview on TodayFM for yourself here.
