Keane lifts lid on Irish players´ drink problems

Roy Keane claims many Irish players have a problem with alcohol which is threatening to derail their careers.

Former Republic of Ireland and Manchester United star Keane, now the manager of English Championship club Ipswich, was a drinker himself in his younger days and he fears the problem is wide-spread among his footballing compatriots.

Keane admits he has seen several instances of alcohol leading Irish players into trouble during his time at Ipswich.

“It’s a problem. It’s there, especially in the Irish players, I notice,” Keane told the Irish Times on Saturday.

“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.

“Living in Ireland, the drink is going to be there all the time. When I come back I get a bit of a buzz for two or three days. I think it’s embedded in us. This thing, ‘let’s get out, there’s something on here and there’. Drink. It’s in the air.”

Keane also told former Manchester United and Ireland defender Paul McGrath, whose problems with alcohol have been well documented, that only he can resolve his drinking issues.

“I was talking to Paul a couple of months ago. Everybody loves Paul, but he knows the score. He knows where to go and get help. He says it himself. He has to help himself,” Keane said.

“It has to be down to Paul. I can’t do it for him. How many people in Ireland have tried to help Paul? He knows by now where to get help.

“When I was having my own escapades I hope I was being young and raw and stupid. I went too far sometimes, but my social life in that way had a short life-span. Burned out. The penny dropped a few years ago for a number of reasons. Thank God.

“I care about Paul. I care about the man. When the playing stops the buzz goes, but for some lads that need is there even when playing. I can just say to Paul that he can stop if he goes to the right people.”