Keane’s Eire

”’NOW is the time to debunk the myth that Roy Keane is indispensable to Manchester United,” writes the Telegraph’s Paul Hayward. He then goes on to explain why, but all he need do is draw a bold arrow to divert readers’ attention to the picture alongside his article. For there is Roy Keane tussling with referee Uriah Rennie.

Sunderland – August 31, 2002

Having messed with the face of Sunderland’s Irish international Jason McAteer in Saturday’s 1-1 draw, Keane wanted more. But between he and his quarry stood the ref. Had it been Andy D’Urso, a former Keane target, who was to send Patrick Vieira from the field in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, Keane would most likely have whirled his arms and spat vengeance.

But this was a man called Uriah, and even a hardened mad-eyed street fighter like Keane knows not to mess with anyone with a strongly biblical name, especially when he is roughly twice your size.

And after grappling with one mighty man, Keane is now strangely at odds with another. The Sun reports that Alex Ferguson has ”condemned” his captain for elbowing McAteer, and is ready to fine him a club record £180,000. And so the latest chapter in the life and times of Roy Keane goes on, covering the first three pages of the Sun’s sports coverage.

And that includes a picture of the ballistic one posing with the skull of a tiny bird. And the reason for the picture? No idea is offered – you’d have to read yesterday’s Observer Sports Magazine to understand why. And even then, you’d probably be none the wiser – some things and some people are just out of reach.

And so it is with Michael Schumacher, who is so far ahead of the Formula One pack that most other drivers have only ever seen his exhaust pipe roaring off into the distance. We, though, courtesy of the Mirror, get to see the cheery sight of the world champion German celebrating his tenth win of the F1 season.

His victory in yesterday’s Belgian Grand Prix meant that he eclipsed the nine-wins-in-a-season record he had shared with Nigel Mansell. Mansell was at Spa to see the race, and offered what may well have been his hearty congratulations to the new record holder. ”Achievements are there to be surpassed,” says Nigel. And those are sentiments that we can all applaud. ”Good luck to him,” he adds.

And with excitement and controversy like that it’s not overly hard to see why Roy Keane’s face is over all the back pages. Now if he could just put his collar up a bit and learn some charm… ‘

Posted: 2nd, September 2002 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink