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Football

31st Aug 2016

WATCH: The Aviva Stadium gives Robbie Keane the farewell he deserves

Nobody left sitting

Darragh Murphy

In Irish football there will be the pre-Robbie years, the Robbie years and the post-Robbie years.

We are in the latter stages now as the Republic of Ireland’s most prolific goalscorer waved goodbye to his fans in the manner he’s most familiar with.

With a goal. With a somersault. With the double-pistols.

Keane played his 146th and final game for the Republic on Wednesday night and was given a hero’s send-off by the Aviva crowd who have supported him throughout a memorable 19-year international career.

His fans rightly stood and applauded as their captain removed the armband for the final time, made his way to the sideline and stepped across the white line into international retirement.

If ever a standing ovation was warranted, it was tonight, when thousands got the chance to bid farewell to a goalscorer, a leader, a legend.

Thanks Robbie. Thanks for everything.

The new GAA Hour football podcast is here. Listen to Colm Parkinson, Senan Connell, and Barry Cahill dissect a classic between Dublin and Kerry. Subscribe here on iTunes.

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