Roy Keane had absolutely no sympathy for Rory McIlroy, who was on the receiving end of abuse at the Ryder Cup in New York last month. Team Europe claimed an impressive 15-13 win over Team USA but insults were aimed at McIlroy and Shane Lowry over the weekend at Bethpage Black, yet no-nonsense man Keane pulled no punches in his assessment of the abuse sent in the direction of the Irish golfers.
Getty Images SportThere was a hostile atmosphere in New York
Team Europe knew to expect plenty of abuse from the hostile American home support in New York. Indeed, tempers threatened to spill over as Tommy Fleetwood was involved in a heated exchange with Bryson DeChambeau which stemmed from a caddie incident on the 15th hole.
And McIlroy and Lowry in particular were targeted by US fans with the pair involved in foul-mouthed rants at the crowd, while one fan was removed from the course over the weekend. McIlroy appeared visibly vexxed owing to some of the vitriol aimed his way from supporters.
In addition, McIlroy's wife, Erica Stoll, appeared to be struck by a beer thrown from the crowd, which understandably left the Irish golfer furious. While the golfing world pulled together to condemn the abuse, Keane had a different viewpoint as he pulled no punches on his assessment of the unsavoury scenes in New York.
Advertisement'Upset by a few Yanks?'
Keane was dismissive of the relentless abuse Team Europe received during the Ryder Cup, and insisted there was no chance of Team USA mounting a Sunday comeback, telling Stick to Football via balls.ie: "So, you tell me. I'm no expert in golf – I don't play but I watch the sport.
"You're saying the pressure on these players because some people were shouting? Become a footballer and go to Leeds or Anfield on a Tuesday night, let me tell you.
"These guys play in big tournaments every week. All of a sudden, they're going to be upset by a few Yanks? You've got McIlroy, McIlroy's won all the big prizes. Do you think he's going to be upset by a few people? It's ridiculous!
"Of course they [knew abuse was coming]. They've built it up for the last six months, 'Wait til you come to America.' Of course they knew they were going to get abused!
Getty Images SportKeane questioned why wives and girlfriends were in attendance
Keane went on to question why the players' wives and girlfriends were on the course when they knew they were going to be on the receiving end of abuse in New York, adding: "And then they get upset because of their partners…let me tell you what I would say to my partner.
"If I was a golfer, and my partner was getting abuse, I'd say to my partner, or my wife, or my girlfriend, 'Just stay in the hotel, love. I'll see you tonight when I get back. You don't come to the other tournaments, but guess what? You get a new outfit and come to the Ryder Cup!'
"You've got a new outfit, a new belt, and then I'm getting loads of stick? Well, go home! I guarantee you they're going back to a nice hotel, they're not in a camp, in a tent."
Former Ryder Cup hero Andrew Coltart warned that wives and girlfriends were going to come in for abuse at the competition, previously stating: "So for Bethpage Black, I offered up the suggestion that it might not be a great idea to go out there and they can watch it from a room where it's safe and secure."
'He shouldn't be swearing either, should he?'
It was clear that Keane had no time for complaints about the abuse the players and their partners received at the Ryder Cup, while he aimed a further dig at McIlroy. McIlroy had previously been a guest on the Stick to Football podcast and recounted a story of how his hero at the time, Keane, turned him down for an autograph when he was a kid.
Keane took the chance to aim another dig at McIlroy, adding: "Well, he shouldn't be swearing either, should he? I didn't see him signing autographs after, by the way! All those little kids waiting for him!"
Keane had a reputation for one of football's hard men during his playing career, and still holds the record for the most red cards in English football having been dismissed 13 times as a player. The 54-year-old spent the bulk of his career with Manchester United but also turned out for Celtic, Nottingham Forest and Cobh Ramblers.
