Support for a local in Mayfield

THE VIEW FROM HOME: Olivia Kelleher and Roisin Ingle on the reaction from Cork and Dublin

Roy Keane's parents, Mossie and Marie, were absent from the family home in Rathpeacon, Co Cork, yesterday afternoon as they are currently on holiday abroad.

The house was empty except for a few decorators who seemed tired of answering the door to journalists as the media frenzy surrounding Keane's sacking stepped up a gear.

Meanwhile, in the north side suburb of Mayfield, where Keane spent his formative years, locals mainly showed support for the Manchester United player.

Andrew Corkery (33) said Keane should be given the benefit of the doubt as he is obviously having personal problems.

"I think he is right in what he is saying about the facilities but wrong in what he has done. I think Roy feels some people just aren't putting in the effort. Obviously Mick McCarthy didn't handle it very well. Paul McGrath was a difficult bloke but Jack Charlton was able to deal with him."

Roy's local pub when he is back in Cork, The Templeacre Tavern, is covered in "Keano" memorabilia including jerseys and pictures of the star in all his glory.

Tony Maher (54) of Gurranabraher, Cork, said Keane is an ordinary guy who doesn't like media attention.

"I wish I knew what happened. I wouldn't be prepared to judge the man until we know what went on. It is totally out of character as he normally just gets on with things."

A Roy Keane competition was the source of irritation at the football crazy Submarine bar in Dublin yesterday.

"Burn that," said one irate customer pointing at the flyer that urged people to try winning "a day in the life of Roy Keane!".

"I'll tell you something, I wouldn't like to be him after what he's done," said Frank Cullen, a Dubliner who travelled from his home in Toronto to watch the World Cup matches.

Sitting in front of the huge screen where Ireland's World Cup fortunes will be played out, he could barely control his anger at Roy Keane's departure.

"In terms of the tournament, he has signed our death warrant. He should have left his personal problems at home. Mick did the right thing," he said.

"Roy Keane isn't an Irishman to me any more."

Asked whether the Taoiseach should intervene in the controversy, one Dublin shopper Robin Brown said it would be a good idea. "It would be the first useful thing Bertie has done," he said.