The 30 greatest moments of the World Cup: Roy Keane’s epic rant

OUR look at the World Cup’s greatest moments continues with fiery Irishman Roy Keane’s explosive spray which led to him walking out on the eve of the 2002 tournament.

Archie slams Cahill critics World Cup’s greatest moments: Roy Keane walks out on Ireland.

CONTINUING our series on the greatest moments in World Cup history, we turn to a fiery Irishman and one of the most withering sprays in football.

With this 30-day countdown to the World Cup, we’re documenting the moments which captured the world’s attention and define the tournament’s 88-year history.

Here’s day two: Roy Keane’s epic rant.

What was the ‘moment’: Roy Keane’s epic rant

Which World Cup was it? South Korea-Japan 2002

Country played for: Republic of Ireland

Most World Cup moments take place on the pitch, played out in front of millions. Other, however, take place behind closed doors, in nightclubs or on the training ground. This epic rant happened on the latter, before the tournament had even started!

In 2002, Roy Keane was in his pomp — captain of Manchester United and his country, and one of the finest midfielders in world football and equally as fearsome on the field as on it. As so often happened, Keane’s expectations were quite different to those around him — and pity those who did not match up.

Roy Keane had a reputation as a feisty customer.

Ahead of the tournament, the Ireland team landed in Saipan, where the team’s management planned a getaway after a busy season and a pressured tournament. Keane, however, saw it more as a training camp where the Ireland players would become a well-drilled unit that could push for the type of glory he was used to achieving with United.

Unhappy with what he saw as unprofessionalism, Keane spoke to an Irish newspaper and listed all the problems he had with his management and the Football Association of Ireland.

Keane at training with the Northern Ireland team ahead of the World Cup.

After reading the article, Ireland manager Mick McCarthy confronted Keane during training.

It didn’t take long for the whole thing to blow up, during which Keane delivered a savage “10-minute oration” against McCarthy, during which Keane unleashed a terrifying yet hilarious tirade:

“Mick, you’re a liar … you’re a f***ing w**ker. I didn’t rate you as a player, I don’t rate you as a manager, and I don’t rate you as a person. You’re a f***ing w**ker and you can stick your World Cup up your arse. The only reason I have any dealings with you is that somehow you are the manager of my country! You can stick it up your bollocks.”

Mick McCarthy copped one of the all-time bakes from Keane.

Keane was dismissed and sent home. Ireland finished second in their group and held Spain to a 1-1 draw in the round of 16, only to go out in a penalty shootout.

Who knows what they could have done had Keane been present to drive his teammate on, through fear and inspiration.

RE-LIVE THE GREAT MOMENTS:

DAY ONE: Diego Maradona’s Hand of God goal

Originally published as The 30 greatest moments of the World Cup: Roy Keane’s epic rant