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'Dead grandmother' makes plea to Roy Keane | 'Dead grandmother' makes plea to Roy Keane |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Roy Keane has been urged to help an ex-Irish international footballer return to the team, by one of the women the player had falsely claimed was dead. | Roy Keane has been urged to help an ex-Irish international footballer return to the team, by one of the women the player had falsely claimed was dead. |
Stephen Ireland has not played for his country since 2007, when he pulled out of the squad ahead of a match, claiming his maternal grandmother had died. | Stephen Ireland has not played for his country since 2007, when he pulled out of the squad ahead of a match, claiming his maternal grandmother had died. |
When the media discovered she was still alive, Ireland changed his story and said his paternal grandmother had died. | When the media discovered she was still alive, Ireland changed his story and said his paternal grandmother had died. |
But this was also untrue, and Ireland later apologised for his false claims. | But this was also untrue, and Ireland later apologised for his false claims. |
At the time, Ireland said he had made up the story because his girlfriend had suffered a miscarriage and he wanted to go home to see her immediately. | At the time, Ireland said he had made up the story because his girlfriend had suffered a miscarriage and he wanted to go home to see her immediately. |
On Wednesday, one of Ireland's grandmothers met Roy Keane on a flight to his native County Cork. | On Wednesday, one of Ireland's grandmothers met Roy Keane on a flight to his native County Cork. |
She asked Keane to consider recalling her grandson for international duty. | She asked Keane to consider recalling her grandson for international duty. |
Keane was appointed as assistant coach of the Republic of Ireland international team last November, as Martin O'Neill took over as manager. | Keane was appointed as assistant coach of the Republic of Ireland international team last November, as Martin O'Neill took over as manager. |
'Difficult spell' | |
The Corkman spoke about the in-flight encounter on stage at University College Cork on Wednesday night. | The Corkman spoke about the in-flight encounter on stage at University College Cork on Wednesday night. |
He was in his home city to attend a public event and took part in a question and answer session. | He was in his home city to attend a public event and took part in a question and answer session. |
"Well, I spoke with the grandmother this morning - she was on the flight coming over - and she asked me would he get back involved," Keane told the audience. | "Well, I spoke with the grandmother this morning - she was on the flight coming over - and she asked me would he get back involved," Keane told the audience. |
"I couldn't lie to her. I said he'd have a chance if he's playing well. I think Martin had a conversation with him, and all that needs to fall into place. | "I couldn't lie to her. I said he'd have a chance if he's playing well. I think Martin had a conversation with him, and all that needs to fall into place. |
"We all know how talented Stephen is and Martin will look at that. We wouldn't be shutting the door on any player. | "We all know how talented Stephen is and Martin will look at that. We wouldn't be shutting the door on any player. |
"What is important for any player, and Stephen is the same, is it does help to be playing week-in week-out. | "What is important for any player, and Stephen is the same, is it does help to be playing week-in week-out. |
"He's obviously had a difficult spell. He's only just got a run of games at Stoke now. So I certainly wouldn't be ruling anyone out," Keane said, according to the Irish Independent. | "He's obviously had a difficult spell. He's only just got a run of games at Stoke now. So I certainly wouldn't be ruling anyone out," Keane said, according to the Irish Independent. |
'Massive mistake' | |
The incident, which has been dubbed 'grannygate' happened before the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic in September 2007. | The incident, which has been dubbed 'grannygate' happened before the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic in September 2007. |
At the time, Ireland said he thought the Irish team's management would be more likely to grant him compassionate leave if they believed his grandmother had died. | At the time, Ireland said he thought the Irish team's management would be more likely to grant him compassionate leave if they believed his grandmother had died. |
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) hired a private jet to fly him home. | The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) hired a private jet to fly him home. |
In a statement dated September 2007, Ireland said his false death claims were a "massive mistake on my part" offered his "profound apologies" to his family and the FAI. | In a statement dated September 2007, Ireland said his false death claims were a "massive mistake on my part" offered his "profound apologies" to his family and the FAI. |
The 27-year-old currently plays for English club Stoke City, on season-long loan from Aston Villa. | The 27-year-old currently plays for English club Stoke City, on season-long loan from Aston Villa. |
In November 2009, he ruled out a return to the national team, saying he had never enjoyed playing for the Republic of Ireland, adding: "No manager would sway my decision now." | In November 2009, he ruled out a return to the national team, saying he had never enjoyed playing for the Republic of Ireland, adding: "No manager would sway my decision now." |
But last September, two months before O'Neill and Keane were appointed, Ireland said he would "like to have a chat" when a new international manager was in place. | But last September, two months before O'Neill and Keane were appointed, Ireland said he would "like to have a chat" when a new international manager was in place. |
Last month, Martin O'Neill indicated that he planned to meet Ireland in person in the coming weeks to hold talks. | Last month, Martin O'Neill indicated that he planned to meet Ireland in person in the coming weeks to hold talks. |