Japanese fans take a bow for Keano . . . in Mayfield

ElSieteSecretos · 23/04/2004, 7:52 AM

Japanese fans take a bow for Keano . . . in Mayfield
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TEN fanatical Japanese soccer supporters travelled to Cork yesterday - just to pay their respects to Roy Keane, the footballer they failed to see in action at the 2002 World Cup.

The group -- who are local politicians from Ichihara, a provincial city on the outskirts of Tokyo - even got to meet Roy's father, Mossie Keane, as part of a tour of his home town.

Mossie and his wife, Marie, welcomed the Japanese group to Cork - and told them Roy would be delighted to meet them if he was in Ireland.

The Japanese soccer fans toured Mayfield - where Roy grew up - and Rockmount AFC, the club that first help nurture his talents.

Rockmount officials were so thrilled by the interest shown by the Japanese group in their club that they arranged for club officers to greet the Asian delegation at the airport.

"It is great for Ireland that he (Roy) is now back playing for you," Tsuneo Ita, the tour group leader explained. "Roy Keane is considered a great player in Japan. It was a pity we did not get to enjoy his skills two years ago."

Fittingly, Mr Ito met Roy Keane in person prior the 2002 World Cup while he was on a sports visit to Britain and decided to include Manchester on his itinerary.

Ralph Riegel

ElSieteSecretos · 23/04/2004, 7:53 AM

WOW such a crazy peoples

**gspain** · 23/04/2004, 8:49 AM

I guess Mayfield is right up there with Hawaii and the Seychelles.

Was in Manchester a few years back on a business trip and the meeting ended early so I hopped in for a tour of Old Trafford and the museum.

A local guy (City fan obviously) was escorting 3 Japanese guys hwo had flown in from Tokyo just to see Old Trafford and wander around Manchester for a day.

Fanatical interest in football too for the world cup. Even going to games like Cameroon v Saudi was a huge day out for fans. Memorable evenings in a Tokyo bar too watching Japan games.

**pete** · 23/04/2004, 9:28 AM

Originally Posted by ElSieteSecretos

TEN fanatical Japanese soccer supporters travelled to Cork yesterday - just to pay their respects to Roy Keane, the footballer they failed to see in action at the 2002 World Cup.

Nutters.

**tiktok** · 23/04/2004, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by pete

Nutters.

along a similar vein, was in London for the Fulham -v- Man Utd game recently, there were huge numbers of Japanese there solely to cheer on Inamoto. he only played the last ten minutes and they went nuts when he came on. hardly worth the trip though.