'Nasty, profane' tirade sealed captain's fate

Roy Keane's fate was sealed by a seven-minute tirade at a team meeting yesterday at the plush Hyatt Hotel which has been the team's base here in this Pacific hideaway. One eye witness described Keane's verbal assault as "really nasty" as he rounded on Mick McCarthy, as a manager and as a person, in an unprecedented show of dissent.

Ireland's talismanic captain delivered his no-holds-barred attack on the manager in front of the Irish squad and technical staff. His comments stunned his colleagues, none of whom contributed to the two-sided argument which finished when Keane stormed from the meeting room.

McCarthy then asked the squad: "Are we together on this?" Having received their unanimous support, he went to Keane's bedroom and informed the Manchester United midfielder he was no longer part of Ireland's World Cup plans.

The team meeting had been called after the Keane controversy blew up again, within hours of his withdrawal and subsequent dramatic reinstatement early on Wednesday.

It was minutes before a scheduled team meeting that McCarthy finally saw a transcript of the newspaper interview in which Keane continued to make his criticisms of Irish preparations. McCarthy decided to confront Keane at the meeting and began it by asking whether anybody had a problem either with his management or with the facilities here. Keane responded and within seconds had erupted in a volcanic fury.

An eye witness said: "Roy was really nasty. He attacked McCarthy as a manager and a person, dragging up all sorts of stuff going back to the US Cup in 1992. His language was coarse and profane. Mick didn't get involved. He said very little and he and Roy were the ones to speak. Everyone else was completely stunned."

McCarthy summoned the 23-strong media pack to the Hyatt Hotel for an impromptu press conference within an hour of the explosive confrontation. His opening remarks confirmed suspicions of a seismic sporting drama: "Roy Keane will be taking no part in the World Cup. He's going home."

McCarthy continued: "There's been an uneasy feel about the place and when I was asked to comment on remarks attributed to Roy in a newspaper today, I said I didn't want to do that. Instead, I felt it was important to air any grievances anyone had, players or staff, as a meeting of us all.

"I invited everyone to attend and requested they make their points rationally and logically but that didn't happen I'm afraid with Roy as it turned into a bit of a slanging match.

"I asked him as captain to address some of the issues that had been raised and asked him to give his opinion. But I cannot, and will not, tolerate the level of abuse that was thrown at me so I have sent him home.

"This decision has been taken because of what was said at that meeting. It was a very public and open show of hostility. I didn't go into the meeting with the intention of this happening."

McCarthy added: "I like to be reasonable, and rational. I didn't want to go to Izumo [the Irish World Cup base which the party were due to fly today] with this being the biggest topic of conversation. I really wanted to resolve any issues that were outstanding.

"I think there was a feeling of unease around the camp which was wrong as the reason we were here was for relaxation. When we walked into the meeting tonight, the band was playing and the lads were singing along to it. A little bit of me wondered: 'Should I disrupt that?'. But there were certain things that had to be said.

"I think I was pushed far enough in defending people and standing up for people, supporting them. I thought it was time I supported myself."

Philip Quinn is the Football Correspondent of the Irish Independent

Countdown to confrontation

Tuesday 21 May

4pm: Keane confronts the Republic of Ireland goalkeeping coach, Packie Bonner, and goalkeeper Alan Kelly to dispute the fact that the squad's three goalkeepers ­ Kelly, Shay Given and Dean Kiely ­ were excused from the five-a-side practice matches. Bonner dismisses the bust-up: "I have more trouble getting my kids to do their homework".

5pm: After returning to the team hotel, Keane tells Mick McCarthy he wants to go home. He cites personal reasons and concerns over a troublesome knee as the reasons. McCarthy tries unsuccessfully to persuade him to change his mind.

6pm: McCarthy telephones the Celtic midfielder Colin Healy and tells him he wants to call him into the Republic squad as Keane's replacement. An ecstatic Healy packs his bags and prepares to fly to Saipan the next day to join the squad.

Wednesday 22 May

8am: Keane has spoken to people at home overnight and has a change of heart. He tells McCarthy he has decided to stay after all.

8.30am: McCarthy has to call Healy again and break the bad news to him. However, he invites the young midfielder to fly out to Japan next week and join the squad anyway.

9am: McCarthy calls a squad meeting and clarifies the situation to all his players.

10am: Keane and his Republic colleagues go for a training session and all seems well in the Irish camp.

Thursday 23 May

2pm: Keane announces his intention to quit international football after the World Cup. He also openly criticises the Republic's World Cup preparations.

7.30pm: McCarthy holds clear-the-air talks with Keane and the rest of the squad but they quickly descend into a slanging match.

8.30pm: McCarthy calls a press conference to announce that Keane has been sent home.