The Ipswich manager sounds contemplative. Almost comatose. He looks at what the outstanding issues are and it is drink. That is what has held back Ireland all these years and oh yeah, a lack of cynicism. Drink and a lack of cynicism.
“Especially when you stop playing and you are getting up for the day and there is no buzz, you need it. It’s a problem. It’s there, especially in the Irish players, I notice. In my short time in management I notice that just about every incident we have had to deal with that is drink-related, it is Irish lads. It’s an issue with Irish players. Always.”
” Do we have to get a little bit more cynical? If one of our lads did what Henry did and Ireland went through to the World Cup and everybody was packing their bags in the next few weeks. Would there be many turning down the trip on principle? I don’t think there would. “
The literary geniuses coming out of that country need a drop to drink. The Myles na Gopaleen’s and John Milllington Synge’s. And now Enda Walsh. The footballers not so much.
But more Keane: On Ipswich
“People ask about Ipswich this year and the only word that comes to mind is frustration. Poor start we had this year. Twenty draws is ridiculous. Not good draws. You go through the stats. We had more possession, more shots etc, I won’t bore you. The amount of injury-time draws killed us.”
“I enjoyed it, though. We are sprinting harder, we are covering more miles. We are lacking some experience and a little quality but the players have been brilliant. Brilliant. The owner was very good. Fans were decent. They are decent people. They give you the benefit of the doubt.”
No tirade at the end. Keane sounds like he’s had a lobotomy. What is the world coming to?