Keane determined to support League of Ireland

The Boys in Green assistant head coach is aware of the talent that exists in Ireland's national league, reflecting on his own formative years

Roy Keane says that he and Martin O'Neill are "fully committed" to supporting Irish football, including the League of Ireland.



Speaking on Irish radio station Newstalk, the Republic of Ireland assistant manager noted his own experience in Ireland's domestic league with Cobh Ramblers and acknowledged that it was a "stepping stone" in his career.



It was at Ramblers that Keane caught the eye of then-Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough and the midfielder joined the Reds in the summer of 1990.



"People have been too quick to knock the League of Ireland but that year with Cobh was a stepping stone for me to get to England," said Keane.



"We shouldn't kid ourselves that Martin and myself coming on board will just be about working on the senior team. We are fully committed to supporting Irish football in general."



A number of players in the current Boys in Green squad began their careers in Ireland's national league, including James McClean, Seamus Coleman and Shane Long.



