Roy Keane was in flying form in the Olympia Theatre last night, producing a host of classic lines during an interview with broadcaster Matt Cooper.
The night was a fundraising event for Barretstown camps, and the audience paid €40 a ticket to watch the plain speaking Corkman talk about everything from Saipan to social media.
Always honest, Keane had no doubt about what the impact would have been had social media and smartphones been around when he was a player:”I’d be in prison”.
'I'd be in prison' says Keane if asked what would have happened if social media & camera phones were about when he was younger #Barretstown
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) June 25, 2015
He also joked about his recent court case, when Cooper asked him was he happy.
“I was in court last week because I apparently glare at people,” Keane answered, before admitting his kids regularly tease him about his stern face.
He also said he is getting better at identifying trouble makers when out in public.
Roy Keane 'I bump into a lot of idiots…I'm ready, I spot them a mile away, I can tell by the way they walk up & that's just the women'
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) June 25, 2015
And when asked was Brian Clough the only person who ever hit him and get away with it he mentioned the recent car crash he was involved in with the FAI backroom team.
"Is Clough the only person who hit Roy Keane without you hitting him back?" "A fella hit me on the M50 a few weeks ago+I didnt hit him back"
— TheOpelJersey (@TheOpelJersey) June 25, 2015
Keane showed off his dry humour when discussing his reputation as a bad-tempered recluse.
We're renaming this Barretstown LAUGHS… #Barretstowntalks with @cooper_m & #RoyKeane pic.twitter.com/G8fD2tghtW
— Today FM (@todayfmofficial) June 25, 2015
“Enjoyed a few nights out they all said I was off the rails, stop drinking and they call me a f**king hermit!” he laughed.
We’re not sure of what Man United fans will make of Keane admitting he wasn’t really a fan of the club.
#RoyKeane tells @cooper_m that he isn't a @ManUtd fan… #Barretstowntalks pic.twitter.com/Z2PrnOBHF1
— Today FM (@todayfmofficial) June 25, 2015
No Roy Keane interview is complete without reference to Saipan, and he admitted he has huge regrets about what happened.
"It wasn't. Of course I wish it hadn't happened. I was over at the World Cup!" #RoyKeane on that famous moment in 2002 #Barretstowntalks
— Today FM (@todayfmofficial) June 25, 2015
"I remember it like it was yesterday… What a load of nonsense. People think it was easy for me to walk away" #RoyKeane looks back on 2002
— Today FM (@todayfmofficial) June 25, 2015
Although on a lighter note, he told a classic story about an incident in Saipan before he left.
The players were warned that there were hydration drinks they had to drink to stay alive, before being told that the liquids hadn’t actually arrived.
Keane recalling being told to drink hydration drinks in Saipan because they might die…only to be told they hadn't arrived yet #Barretstown
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) June 25, 2015
But Ireland’s assistant manager was more interested in looking to the future of our football team, and felt boss Martin O’Neill should be given every chance to make things work.
"We've got to give him a chance" – #RoyKeane on Martin O'Neill… "Will we qualify? Please God, we'll do our best, that's all we can do."
— Today FM (@todayfmofficial) June 25, 2015
Sounds like a hugely enjoyable evening was had by everyone present. Love him or loathe, you have to admit when Keane is on form he is a fantastic entertainer.
The guy could honestly be a top notch stand-up. His delivery and timing are exceptional. Laughed harder than most comedy gigs I've been to.
— TheOpelJersey (@TheOpelJersey) June 25, 2015