What Roy Keane did for budding Irish star is pure class

He's a softy at heart.

Roy Keane established himself as one of the hardest men in football in his illustrious playing career. Whether it be tunnel incidents with Patrick Vieira or hefty tackles on Alf-Inge Haland, he certainly isn't someone to cross. The former Manchester United captain tried his hand at managing and had mixed success with Sunderland in his time at the club and lured current Irish international Conor Hourihane to the club back in 2009. Hourihane has made a bit of a splash recently, making headlines for his stunning hat-trick last weekend.  At 26-years-old, Hourihane looks like he is finally starting to realise his potential, he was one of the few bright sparks against Iceland a couple of months ago and has four goals already in the Championship this season. When he came to England initially back in 2009 Hourihane was wanted by top clubs including Manchester United back when Alex Ferguson was in charge. However, in a piece from the Sunday Times Hourihane revealed how persuasive Keane was. "Roy said, 'We really want you to join, we're going up and up'. He knew the Uniteds and Liverpools were in for me. He said there is no need to go there for money. He would have been a big influence without a doubt," Hourihane told the newspaper. Moving over to England at such a young age is a daunting prospect, leaving your friends and family just after sitting the Junior Cert doesn't seem like the easiest move but Keane was more than helpful in Hourihane's transition. "When I got there, he looked after me. I look at 16-year-olds now and when I go home I say 'how did you allow me to move to another country?' The lad I lived with in digs was Irish. Roy helped me settle into English life and that was just another step on the ladder to where I am now," Hourihane concluded.