Great opportunity to revisit that whole fiasco. For the record, I was a "Roy supporter" and believed McCarthy should have been brought to heel by the FAI.
Keane was (is?) excellence personified. He was the ultimate team player, but he had no time for fools or a lack of effort. He made Ireland's mediocre players look good. He made Ireland's mediocre manager look good. He made the FAI loads of money. Without Keane, Ireland would never have qualified for the 2002 World Cup. Without McCarthy, Ireland would probably have done just as well in qualifying and better in the tournament.
One thing that sticks in my mind about that whole incident is how so many of the conservative political commentators were on McCarthy's side. I'm a conservative, but one who believes excellence should be rewarded, not reined in. McCarthy's lack of ambition, small mind and lack of real authority meant he was unsuitable as a manager of an international team. Keane wasn't looking for special treatment for himself. What he wanted was that the Ireland team - from players to the manager to the administrators - all share his ambition to win. For many in the team and the FAI, qualifying for the World Cup was enough.
I doubt you would have found a single American sports writer who would have faulted Keane for his ambition. What point is there in playing if you don't go to win?
