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Keane with guidedog Zeta in Cork. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind

'The best sport out there is hurling' -- Roy Keane on his favourite game

The Ireland assistant manager could still do a job on the edge of the square.

ROY KEANE SAYS he has โ€˜great admirationโ€™ for GAA players and reckons hurling is the best spectator sport.

โ€œI still think the best sport out there to watch is hurling,โ€ the Ireland assistant manager says in an interview with the Irish Guide Dogs annual magazine, Guidelines.

โ€œMy career is focused on soccer but I have great admiration for GAA players. If I had a chance to watch any game in the world tomorrow I would go to a hurling match. Iโ€™ve been to the Super Bowl, Formula 1 racing, Championโ€™s League matches, but the All-Ireland is up there with all of them as a great occasion.

Keane, a patron of the charity since 2001, is hard pushed when asked to pick between dogs and football.

โ€œSoccer has given me a great life, but I love my dogs. I really donโ€™t know,โ€ the former Manchester United skipper says. โ€œIโ€™m going to have to pass on that one. Thatโ€™s the toughest question Iโ€™ve had in the 20-odd years Iโ€™ve been a professional.โ€

โ€œWhen Iโ€™m out walking my dogs Iโ€™m really at ease with myself. The health benefits are huge; theyโ€™re good for my health, good for my head. Having a dog in your house makes it a home.โ€

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Keane on the bench at the Aviva Stadium. INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Keane admitted in the excellent Best Of Enemies documentary with Patrick Vieira last week, that part of his motivation as a youngster was to get out of his area. After a successful career in Englandโ€™s north-west, does he now prefer Cork or Manchester?

โ€œIโ€™ve lived in Manchester longer than I lived in Cork but Cork is my home. But Iโ€™m also grateful โ€“ Manchester has been good to me; England has been good to me. It has given me a career and a life and my kids were born there. Manchester people remind me a bit like Cork people; I like their humour. I think people generally are straight up with you. I do like Manchester but Cork is my home,โ€ he adds.

Click here to download a copy of the magazine.

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Andre Villas-Boas sacked by Spurs

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72 Comments
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    Mute Kev
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 2:51 PM

    Itโ€™s a joke, the FA are a bunch of clowns anyway

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 4:23 PM

    O take your punishment you sulky overpaid idiot. You knew exactly what you were doing with that goal celebration. Definitely knew it would be controversial.

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 4:56 PM

    even if that were true and i am not saying it is,you are suggesting being controversial is a punishable offense and at that with a 5 game ban ???

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 7:04 PM

    Yes because he knew what he was doing.

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 7:14 PM

    well mike punishing someone for being controversial is one of the most stupid things ive ever had the misfortune to hear and tell me how does such and ambiguous offense get defined and who decides ?? is it decided by mass hysteria on the internet ?? i disagree with the fact that he knew it would cause such a stir too,the vast vast majority of people outside france had never even heard of the gesture or the comedian until after anelkas celebration

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 7:26 PM

    I completely agree with it. Players canโ€™t be allowed celebrate whatever way they want especially when it can cause controversy. The people in power as always are the people who decide. He will appeal and get the ban reduced as always. Rooney was banned for cursing in to the camera but that particular curse is part of 99% of peopleโ€™s daily lives. I agreed with that ban too.

    The FA should take a leaf out of the NFLโ€™s book and ban all goal celebrations.

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 7:28 PM

    Gerard if that is one of the most stupid things you have ever had the misfortune of reading you must have lived a fairly simple and sheltered life up to now. Welcome to the real world!!

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 9:58 PM

    Iโ€™m glad the great Johnny Giles agrees with me. I would take what he has to say more seriously than what you have to say on the matter Paddy. Go read his article and you might understand the significance of what he did. You must be a big WBA fan to support him. I still find it laughable that you think itโ€™s the must stupid thing you ever read.

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 10:13 PM

    can you not answer a simple question mike,who decides what is controversial and how do they define it ?? โ€ the people in powerโ€ is not an answer you might as well have said โ€œholy godโ€ !!!

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 10:31 PM

    Itโ€™s not up to me to decide who punishes players for incidents like this is it? Iโ€™m not involved in the FA. Do you acutally not know who punished him? Have you had your head buried for your whole life? The same people in the FA dish out all the fines and bans to players and managers. Go research it on the internet if you want further information as Iโ€™m not going to waste my time explaining it. You are either a wum or you know absolutely nothing about soccer.

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 10:34 PM

    Did you read the John Giles article like I said? You probably donโ€™t even know who he is considering you donโ€™t know who hands down the bans to players. Who hands down bans to any player in any sport?? The fans? The club shop worker? The burger van worker outside the ground? Or in this instance just possibly maybe the FA!! You probably donโ€™t know what FA stands for.

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    Mute Peadar
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 10:34 PM

    Guess you just donโ€™t like Monsieur Anelka, Mike

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 10:37 PM

    I only dislike any player who does a stupid needless goal celebration that could cause any kind of controversy. To do something that caused a lot of anger and disgust in your own country is disgusting. Itโ€™s nothing got to do with disliking a player itโ€™s got to do with their lack if common decency

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:01 PM

    i will try one last time mike,you are testing my patience but i know you cant help it but HOW IS CONTROVERSY TO BE DEFINED ??? and you slow slow man who is to decide it as in because iabunch of sad people take to the internet to get hysterical does that then make something punishable by a 5 match ban or does everyone have to write a letter to the fa !!! tell me mike you vague ambiguous clown of a man

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:16 PM

    O Gerard are you getting a bit hot under the collar? Are you Anelka or a relative of his?

    The people in the FA decide what controversy is and they called it spot on here. His gesture caused outrage in France. He knew his gesture would cause this. He will deny it the same way anyone will deny any wrongdoing. If there were not places like courts and sporting organisations to hand out prison sentences and bans etc. nobody would get punished for their actions.

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:30 PM

    What did you think of the John Giles article Gerard?

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 12:14 AM

    see first of all i didnt think you were talking to me because you said โ€œpaddyโ€ my name is gerard,were you using a derogatory name for irish people ??? i had presumed you were irish second of all insulting me isnt the best way to get me to comply generally and lastly i am well aware of who charged him with the offense but its not because the english FA themselves personally found it controversial,they arent the kings of soccer in england,i will ask you for the fourth time,who decides its been controversial and more importantly how is controversial to be defined ??? if you dont know thats ok just say so !

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 10:16 AM

    Iโ€™m not here to teach you the workings of the FA Paddy. Go on the internet, if you know what that is, and read up about who decides. Iโ€™ll give you a hint it has the letters F & A in it. If that hint doesnโ€™t help you along I think it would be best for all if you put your head back into that hole. Obviously you are not cut out for the real world as you are easily upset. Imagine getting upset about people having choice words to say about Nicolas Anelka. You must be either him, a friend, a relative or that idiot comedian.

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 12:36 PM

    hahahaha โ€œpaddyโ€ oh im really insulted now,did you come up with that on your own ?? whoโ€™s a clever boy.id say you make your mother realy proud,the irony of saying i get too easily upset is almost too much for me,thanks mike ive had a great laugh at your expense mind yourself and remember to wear your helmet :-)

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 1:58 PM

    Ok Paddy no bother. Try enjoy your day. Keep the tissues close by to dry your weeping eyes!!

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 2:02 PM

    hahahaha paddy,say it again for me,it hurts me so bad !!!!! hey ive a question for HOW ARE THEY TO DEFINE CONTROVERSY ???? bet you cant answer !!!! ahhahahahah i love you mike

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 2:08 PM

    Say hello to Nicolas for me Paddy and give him a nice kiss. Ye will be able to spend lots of time watching DVDโ€™s of yere comedian friend whilst he serves his much deserved ban for causing such controversy. Naughty boy that Nicolas. Ooops I hope that comment doesnโ€™t upset you further, hope you took my advice and kept the tissues close by, give Nicolas a few too!

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 2:11 PM

    A dictionary is good for finding the definition of words, maybe you might use that in your quest to understand the word controversy. Although Iโ€™m not too sure you will understand what a dictionery is and you will need a dictionery to figure out what a dictionery is!!! Oooooo you live in a confused world!!! Poor baby

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 2:13 PM

    HOW IS CONTROVERSY TO BE DEFINED ???? imagine not being able to answer a simple question about the point you made,its like you dont even understand yourself !!! hahahahaha and the paddy is more clever,that must sting HOW IS CONTROVERSY TO BE DEFINED???

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 2:15 PM

    still cant answer my question ???ill give you another chance,im sound like that HOW IS CONTROVERSY TO E DEFINED ????

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 2:25 PM

    Poor Paddy doesnโ€™t know what a dictionery is! Ah well to be fair I suppose not everyone had the good fortune to be educated.

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 2:32 PM

    If you did have a dictionery Iโ€™d say you would find a picture of your boyfriend Nicolas under the word controversial. Ah maybe thatโ€™s it, maybe you donโ€™t want to look up the word in the dictionery as you know your boyfriend will be pictured there and you canโ€™t come to terms with the fact heโ€™s controversial. He probably will have a sulky face on him in the picture as usual

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 5:20 PM

    hahahahahahaha mike you legend !!! :-0 hey i have a question for you,HOW WILL THEY DEFINE CONTROVERSY ??? imagine a paddy who doesnt know what a dictionary is being smarter than you !! must sting,bit like your mothers vag !! hahaha go on mike keep it coming (again your mother springs to mind)

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 6:05 PM

    This might shock you Paddy but there is a dictionery that can fit in your pocket, itโ€™s called a pocket size dictionery. Imagine you could have this in your pocket to help you when you get stumped by the definition of words. You could use it in the special school you obviously attend and you could become the star pupil. Imagine, Paddy of all people becoming the teachers pet after all the years of not understanding words and having your head buried in a hole, are you an ostrich by any chance? I donโ€™t think you are unless Nicolas is dating an ostrich! I suppose he could be considering he likes doing controversial things. I hope one day you can figure out the definition of the word controversy special Paddy. Maybe ask the teacher in the morning and he/she might give you some help with it. I suppose itโ€™s not fair to abuse thickos like yourself but itโ€™s funny so why not, it passes cold January days!

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 6:25 PM

    Paddy do you know what an apostrophe is? Maybe that lesson hasnโ€™t come up in that special school yet.

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 7:36 PM

    what is this apostrophe you speak of ??? is it the philosopher ??? we dont do philosophy in my special needs school.hey herโ€™s a question for you HOW ARE THEY TO DEFINE CONTROVERSY ???

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 7:40 PM

    O Paddy Paddy Paddy you are even thicker than I thought. Donโ€™t worry there is a place for people of all intelligence or lack of in this world. Ye make the world a funny place and give us intelligent people something to laugh at.

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    Mute James Gorman
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 10:12 PM

    Proper order. I dont buy his stupidity defence at all. He is paid eneough to behave โ€“ no place for politics or racism in sport whichever way you interpret the gesture.

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 10:38 PM

    Well said James, fair play

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:02 PM

    it wasnt political nor racial,he did it in support of a comedian

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:20 PM

    He did but he knew it would cause outrage in his country as that comedian had already caused outrage because of things he said and did similar gestures. Itโ€™s not like he was doing a gesture in support of a comedian that had never got in trouble and it was taken up the wrong way. The soccer pitch is not the place to do any kind of gesture to support anyone.

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 7:48 PM

    so you cant answer ??? hahahahahahhahahaha ok ok,hereโ€™s an easy one for you HOW ARE THEY TO DEFINE CONTROVERSY ????

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Jan 23rd 2014, 6:08 PM

    is that your way of sayin you dont know ????? :-0 hahaha go on the paddies weโ€™re so smart and witty !!!!!! :-) hey ive a question for you mike HOW ARE THEY TO DEFINE CONTROVERSY ???

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 25th 2014, 12:31 AM

    Paddy where are you gone? I thought we were friends!!!

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    Mute Mickey Clarke
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    Jan 24th 2014, 1:32 PM

    Mike i dont know what your nationality is but you are one of the intelligencia in your country the God help your nation

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    Mute Mike Neil
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    Jan 25th 2014, 12:30 AM

    With a head on you like that god help your nation and any future kids!! Good lord

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