Irish soccer skipper and Manchester United star Roy Keane is the non-business person most widely admired by Ireland's business world, according to a new survey.
Hard-tackling Keane, who has just helped guide the Irish squad to next summer's World Cup finals, topped the list in a study carried out by the KPMG accountancy, consultancy and advisory group.
He won the admiration of 23 per cent of those questioned, with one in 10 naming the Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern at their head of their "outsiders" list.
Within their own circle, the business leaders said the figure they admired most was Mr Denis Brosnan, top man in the Kerry Food group. He netted the nomination of 15 per cent, with Celtic Football Club shareholder Mr Dermot Desmond and Sir Tony O'Reilly collecting 11 per cent each.
Kerry Food and the CRH construction materials production concern were picked out as the best companies, with Ryanair, Elan Phamaceuticals and the AIB bank also doing well.
The businessmen said they worked between 41 and 59 hours a week - 40 per cent of them putting in more than 50 hours - and preferred to holiday in France, Spain or Portugal, although 60 per cent confessed they did not speak another language.
PA
