And in Other Soccer News

Roy Keane Retires From Football On Medical Advice

Former Irish international Roy Keane has announced his retirement from football due to the hip injury that has plagued the latter stages of his career. Media reports in recent days claimed the 34-year-old Corkman had decided to see out the remaining year on his contract with Celtic after being told that it would not make the injury any worse.

However, in a shock announcement today, he said he had decided that his only option was to retire after receiving medical advice from his surgeon and the Celtic club doctor.

Keane is regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation and was a central player in the dominance of Manchester United in recent years.

However, he parted company with the Old Trafford club in acrimonious circumstances last November after criticising his fellow players in a television interview.

He subsequently joined Celtic, helping them win the Scottish League title last month.

Keane retired from the Irish set-up last October after returning under Brian Kerr in an effort to help the side secure World Cup qualification. He had been sent home from the World Cup in 2002 by Kerr's predecessor, Mick McCarthy, following a much-publicised bust-up in the Saipan training camp.

Of course the upside for Roy is that now he's free to come to The Kansas City Irish Fest...in just 81 days.