Roy Keane Jokes About 2002 Saipan Incident After Ireland Qualify for Euro 2016

Joe Gallagher @joesgallagherFeatured ColumnistNovember 17, 2015

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Republic of Ireland assistant coach Roy Keane looks on as his players warm up prior to kickoff during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Avi

Ian Walton/Getty Images

Time heals all wounds, it seems.

Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane was predictably in a good mood after his side beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 on aggregate to qualify for Euro 2016 in Dublin on Monday night.

And in a post-match interview, the former Manchester United midfielder made reference to one of his more controversial moments.

In May 2002, then a player, Keane left the national squad in Saipan after a public falling-out with manager Mick McCarthy during preparations for the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

RTÉ Soccer @RTEsoccer
VIDEO: Roy Keane jokes that EURO 2016 will go well for Ireland as long as there is no repeat of Saipan. @corktod https://t.co/hbWqkFOPlI

But on Monday night, when asked about how his side would be best prepared for next summer's tournament, Keane responded, "As long as we're not in Saipan, we'll be all right."

Good to see he can laugh about it now.

[Twitter, h/t 101 Great Goals]

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