MAN UTD icon Roy Keane has formed an unlikely bond with a well know rockstar from a British band.
The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr joined the Stick to Football podcast this week and struck an unlikely chord with the Ireland legend.
The pair gushed over their shared affection for Cork on the latest
Rebel county native Keano has never shy about his roots, and has spoke passionately about Cork over the years, especially when it comes to GAA.
But it turns out the city also left a lasting impression on Marr, whose Irish heritage runs deep through his Kildare-born parents.
The conversation on the show — hosted by Keane, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright and Jill Scott — naturally drifted toward music, with Marr asked by Neville to compare band dynamics to a football team.
Using The Beatles as an example, Marr described Paul McCartney as “the 12th man” as he praised the legendary scouser.
Marr also gave a nod to one of Cork’s greatest cultural exports, Rory Gallagher.
He said: “There was an Irish guy, Rory Gallagher, who I used to follow around and go to all his shows, and who I got to know before he passed away.
“He was a beautiful guy, Rory.”
He also spoke about his close friendship with Keane, who are nearby neighbours in Manchester.
The Smiths icon revealed he often bumps into the former Utd skipper while out walking his dog.
He added: “Sometimes Roy’s walking the dogs but often I’m running, because we live near each other. It’s a good excuse to stop [running]!” Marr joked.
Keane replied, laughing: “Is that the only reason you stop?!”
Before Marr continued: “He’ll always go, ‘Ah, I don’t want to stop you, you’re running!’ I always say, ‘No, no…’ We’ll have a bit of a chat about football. I was always interested in the dressing room, the dynamic and the chemistry,”
“We’ll chat about Ireland, because I’m from an Irish family. We’ll talk about Cork and stuff like that — and tea! We’re really rock and roll.”
The pair’s mutual respect was evident throughout, even with Marr’s Man City allegiance.
