The crowd at Billy Morgan's pub in Cork chanted "Keano" but it was no longer for Roy Keane. Robbie Keane was the man yesterday.
A local entrepreneur may have sold 800 T-shirts declaring "Roy Keane - A Cork legend shot in the back", but the crowded pub was fully behind Mick McCarthy and his team.
Mark Walsh, of Hollyhill in Cork, said it was surreal to think that Roy Keane was watching the match at his parents' house in Rathpeacon on the outskirts of Cork.
"It is weird that Keane is sitting at home in Cork when this is going on. It's a pity he couldn't sort things out with McCarthy. He should have swallowed his pride. If he did he would be over there representing his country."
Rosemary Ormond, who works at Cork Institute of Technology, said she used to have pictures of Roy Keane on her wall, but now she may have to start giving Robbie a chance.
"It is sad that Roy isn't there but it is lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves. The second half was better than the first. We seemed to calm down and got a bit more confident. The atmosphere is great."
But members of the German community working at the Cork- based press agency, Deutsche Presse Agentur, were bitterly disappointed at having to make do with a draw.
As for Roy Keane, there were reported spottings of him all over the city. He was variously supposed to be out walking his dogs near Rathcooney cemetery, sitting at home watching the match, or drinking at a pub in Co Cork.
However, photographers eventually spotted him answering the door to fans at his parents' home.
Keane visited the Templeacre Tavern in Gurranabraher in Cork on Monday night and was swamped by well-wishers. He is spending a few days in his home city with his wife and four children before returning to Manchester for knee surgery.
Mark O'Reilly of Douglas, Cork, said that if Roy Keane had any sense, he would take the next flight to Japan.