Shelbourne 0 Manchester United 5
Manchester United captain Roy Keane was given a rapturous welcome today in his first appearance since the World Cup furore which saw him kicked out of Ireland's squad.
Keane was cheered to the rafters by 11,000 fans who crammed into Tolka Park to watch the English giants open their pre-season campaign with a 5-0 drubbing of Irish champions Shelbourne.
The talismanic midfielder became the subject of a bitter national debate in May when he was booted out of Ireland's squad just days before the World Cup after a row with manager Mick McCarthy.
The row divided opinion in Ireland, with many fans reacting with disgust to the former captain's conduct and saying McCarthy was right to send Keane home.
Media here had tipped Keane to meet a hostile reception upon his return to his homeland, but those expectations dissipated as soon as the 30-year-old trotted onto the pitch.
A handful of boos were drowned out by the enthusiastic roars of the huge majority of fans, many of whom carried Irish tricolours with Keanes face imprinted on them.
When Keane's name was read out over the public address system, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who describes himself as a life-long Manchester United fan and who earlier in the summer had tried to broker a peace pact between Keane and McCarthy, joined in the tumultuous applause.
Keane's performances in 58 senior matches for his country, and during eight successful seasons at Old Trafford, have elevated him to the status of living legend in Ireland.
Meanwhile United boss Alex Ferguson fielded a glittering team, including stars such as Juan Sebastian Veron, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs for today's match.
Keane was undoubtedly the main attraction for the fans though.
United triumphed thanks to a close-range hat-trick from Ruud van Nistelrooy, a neat second half strike from substitute Dwight Yorke, and a fine 26th minute effort from Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, his first goal for the club.