ROY KEANE rolled back the years with a kickabout involving some local kids from his hometown of Cork.
Keane was back in the city for the Liam Miller tribute game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, which proved to be a huge success.
45,000 people from the Irish football community turned out to pay tribute to Miller, who passed away last February, aged just 36, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The game was set up to not only honour his memory but help raise funds for the late Celtic, Manchester United and Cork City midfielder's family and the Marymount Hospice.
Keane signed Miller during his time as Sunderland manager and spoke affectionately of the midfielder, who also hailed from Cork, after the game.
"I'm proud of not just Cork, but people travelled from all over the country, and England & Scotland, but it is a good day for Cork."
Roy Keane reflects on a special day for a fellow Corkman, Liam Miller.#LiamMillerTribute #VMSport pic.twitter.com/3bToC2kBEi— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 25, 2018
"It was great, a really nice day. Great for Liam and his family that they got a great turnout," Keane said.
"People travelled from all over the country - and England and Scotland - for the match, so it's a good day for Cork. There was a great atmosphere, there was a real good buzz in the city and people have done great work to make this happen.
"I'm really proud of the people that made the effort."
Though Keane only played for around 35 minutes of the actual match, he was clearly keen to return to his footballing roots in Cork, getting involved in a match involving local youngsters from the Corrib Lawn/Ballinderry Park area of the city.
Kick around with Roy - The Mayfield man entertained the boys & girls in Corrib Lawn/Ballinderry Park on his trip home to Cork this week for the #LiamMillerTribute. [email protected]/ 1850104106 pic.twitter.com/DaN5eqzp8d
— Neil Prendeville (@NeilRedFM) September 27, 2018
The Irishman's efforts did not go unnoticed either with RedFM radio host Neil Prendeville tweeting out a picture of the midfielder with the young group.
It was the perfect ending to an emotional day celebrating the life and times of one of Cork's greatest footballing men.
R.I.P. Liam Miller.
