Roy Keane sheds light on rampant drinking culture among Irish soccer players

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Ipswich manager Roy Keane has she light on the problems that Irish soccer players have with drink.

The former Manchester United and Ireland captain went into detail about how Irish culture is very much centered on the pub and alcohol, and how it is almost inevitable that young Irish men will take to the bottle, which can lead to its own set of issues.

"Living in Ireland, the drink is going to be there all the time," said Kenae.

 "When I come back I get a bit of a buzz for two or three days. I think it's embedded in us. This thing, 'let's get out, there's something on here and there'. Drink. It's in the air. Especially when you stop playing and you are getting up for the day and there is no buzz, you need it.

"It's a problem. It's there, especially in the Irish players, I notice. In my short time in management I notice that just about every incident we have had to deal with that is drink-related, it is Irish lads. It's an issue with Irish players. Always."

Keane also referred to his former teammate and friend, Irish soccer legend Paul McGrath, who has spent most of his adult life battling alcoholism.

“Everybody loves Paul, but he knows the score. He knows where to go and get help. He says it himself. He has to help himself. It has to be down to Paul. I can't do it for him. How many people in Ireland have tried to help Paul? He knows by now where to get help.

“I care about Paul. I care about the man. When the playing stops the buzz goes, but for some lads that need is there even when playing. I can just say to Paul that he can stop if he goes to the right people.

“When you stop playing there is a bit of boredom. People throw drink at you, not helping. Paul knows where to go. He has to want it.”

The 38-year-old also acknowledged his own missteps off the field during his career, but he is thankful that he was able to overcome them some years go.

“When I was having my own escapades I hope I was being young and raw and stupid. I went too far sometimes, but my social life in that way had a short life span. Burned out. The penny dropped a few years ago for a number of reasons. Thank God.”

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