‘I’ve never seen Roy so happy’ hail fans as Denis Irwin jokes Keane ‘made my life difficult’ as pundit during World Cup

DENIS IRWIN joked Roy Keane “made my life difficult” after his infamous exit from the 2002 World Cup.

The former Republic of Ireland and Manchester United captain was sent home from Saipan after a bust-up with then-manager Mick McCarthy.

The Boys in Green would go on to the last-16 at the competition before being knocked out by Spain on penalties.

Yet it was Keane’s exit that is the lasting memory from that summer, and led to some awkward moments for Denis Irwin.

The former Ireland full-back – and long-time friend of Keane’s – was doing punditry for RTE for the tournament.

Denis Irwin was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.

And he said: “I was doing media work for RTÉ in Ireland well before I finished with United. 

“You made my job harder for the 2002 World Cup – you knew what an amateur association they [Ireland] were.

“I didn’t know the ins and outs of what happened because I hadn’t really spoken to Roy about it, but I could understand with the balls not being there, and the pitch. 

“The game had moved on from what it was [with Ireland] – and it still was fast-forward 10 years later – an amateur association.

“There should have been the right training grounds [for Ireland at the World Cup], but it didn’t surprise me.” 

The rest of the episode featured a copious number of stories between the two friends.

Both remarked that “nothing” frustrates either about the other, while Irwin joked that Keane came from “the wrong side” of Cork.

The 59-year-old also described Keane and Bryan Robson as the two best players with whom he lined up.

It all made for a wholesome reunion between two friends, with fans remarking that they had never seen Roy so happy.

One said: “I’ve never seen Roy so happy before” while another said: “I just love how Roy sees Denis as his older brother almost.

“‘Oh you play paddle? Well ok I’ll have to start playing it then”.

A third said: “Dennis and Roy! Two Irish legends”

A fourth commented: “Probably the show Roy has been looking forward to the most”

And a fifth hailed: “This is the most I’ve seen Roy happy like actually happy with a guest you can tell he adores Denis so much”.