Keane may play for Ireland again

Roy Keane has said that he would like to play for the Republic of Ireland again but only if present coach Mick McCarthy vacates his post.

The Manchester United captain was axed from the Irish World Cup squad in May after a blazing row with McCarthy at the team's Korean training camp and it appeared that his international career was over.

However, the 30-year-old midfielder was quoted in the British media on Saturday as saying a return was possible.

"Hopefully, I might get back to playing for the Irish team again. But I will only go back if there is a new manager -- and that is out of my hands," he said in the Daily Express.

Keane's refusal to apologise for what happened in Korea angered many Irish fans and the player was expecting a cool reception when Manchester United played a pre-season friendly against Dublin side Shelbourne last weekend.

But the rousing welcome he received from the 11,000-strong crowd has convinced Keane to reconsider the possibility of adding to the 58 appearances he made before his bust-up with McCarthy.

"When I went back home in the summer a lot of the mail was positive," he said. "And the reception I got when I went back to Ireland with United was fantastic, quite moving.

"It made me realise how important going back there and playing for Ireland is. In general, the Irish fans have been very supportive."

Keane went on to add: "No one was more disappointed than me about what happened at the World Cup, but life moves on and I hope the Irish team moves on."

But with McCarthy signing an extended deal with Ireland after guiding them to the second round in Korea and Japan, Keane's desire to return may never reach fruition.