Keane quits International football, again!

Manchester United's Irish midfielder Roy Keane has called time on International football, again!

The United skipper quit after Ireland failed to qualify in his absence. The Irishman said: "Like all football supporters in the country I am disappointed that the Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for the World Cup finals"

"Much as I would like to continue playing for my country, I feel the time has come when I should retire from international football and concentrate on domestic football for whatever remains of my football career," he added.

After Ireland's failure to reach the World Cup finals, Brian Kerr, the Republic's manager, has come under a lot of criticism. Many people have called for his head however Keane defended his manager.

"I am aware of the efforts that Brian Kerr and his staff made in an endeavour to qualify for the World Cup finals ... I believe the recent criticism of Brian in the media is both unjust and unfair,"

Cork-born Keane walked out of Ireland's World Cup squad in South Korea in 2002 before the tournament started following a row with then manager Mick McCarthy.

Keane, who won 66 caps for Ireland, did not play in Ireland's last two World Cup qualifying matches because of a broken foot.