Robbie Keane, Ireland's top goal scorer.

[King Silkbeard]

I'd say he was the best player Ireland had he was great in the major tournaments like World Cup 2002. Up there with all the great players in sports history incl famous Irish soccer teams & in World football. He also was a great coach. The two clubs he managed won their respective leagues, you might disagree with the politics of agreeing to manage in those leagues but as a sports player he knows his stuff, he was also great in the English Premier League. Not just saying this as a Dubliner but genuniely think he was the greatest so far.

 

[El Guapo]

He's definitely in the conversation for that category of sports star that if you don't really follow a sport and just look at stats should be universally beloved in Ireland but the public have never really taken to their hearts.

The other Good Example I can think of is Carl Lewis. His 8 Gold medals + a silver at Olympics

*not counting world or goodwill or pan am games,

who also did it as a coach should have in GOAT American sports stat status but he is not that well loved

there is a few reasons for this. PEDs certainly, his race or sexuality possibly but most probably and undeniably the man is a complete asshole

 

[MerchantOfEnnis]

Back in 2013 I went down to the Sheraton in Vienna as Tony O'Donoghue had told me the Irish team were staying there and would be heading out to training at midday.

I went down, met a bunch of the players, all great, sound lads. Shane Long and Seamus Coleman in particular were dead on. I got a few words with Trapattoni, who spoke to me in German despite me wearing green.

Then Robbie Keane came out and I was totally starstruck. I was with my Canadian girlfriend who had no interest in who these lads were, and I was like "its.. r... rr... Robbie Keane!".

Unlike the other players he didnt stop for anyone, and had his own security guard who told everyone that "Mr Keane does not have time to stop, he is going to training".

I found myself in front of him as security were pushing people away and I just put my hand out and said thanks, and he looked at me confused and shook my hand. I was on cloud feckin 9. Didn't get my photo with him but I think that counts as meeting him.

I can still feel the adrenaline from when he scored against Germany in 2002. Legend.

 

[King Silkbeard]

I remember that goal in 2002 against Germany, a special moment in Irish history.

 

[El Guapo]

I can still feel the adrenaline from when he scored against Germany in 2002. Legend.

we walked out of an exam in the old ucc gym building down by the NMRC/Tyndall and straight into the maltings just in time for kickoff.

one of my favourite sporting memories watching the boys in green. Exceptional craic

 

[MerchantOfEnnis]

I remember that goal in 2002 against Germany, a special moment in Irish history.

If there's a top 10 Irish sporting moments, that has to be in there.

The only player to score against Germany in that world cup apart from Ronaldo

 

[King Silkbeard]

I'll tell you a story I was at the Alliance Francais learning French during that tournament but I had to get hope to watch Ireland during the tournament, speeding home to get in on time.

 

[criodain]

I am most likely wrong, but I always get the impression that the only thing Robbie Keane talks about is his investments, horses, golf, cars, money.

 

[El Guapo]

I am most likely wrong, but I always get the impression that the only thing Robbie Keane talks about is his investments, horses, golf, cars, money.

Nah, when Stan took over from Brian Kerr, Robbie and Ian Harte famously lead a players delegation to inform the Gaffer that the players found Kerr's Tues night video analysis sessions boring so they replaced them with a poker night

 

[Lee Bushwacker]

I am most likely wrong, but I always get the impression that the only thing Robbie Keane talks about is his investments, horses, golf, cars, money.

Bit of an asshole then is he?