Go and play chess if you fear being hurt, Keane tells players

ROY Keane has told footballers to play chess if they are worried about getting hurt.

Responding to a question about striker Kevin Doyle’s retirement last week because of repeated bouts of concussion, the Republic of Ireland assistant manager admitted his sadness at the player’s plight, but insisted that injury is an occupational hazard for professional athletes.

Keane said: “It’s sad, but he’s made the right decision, no doubt. He’s had an excellent career and seems a real decent guy.

“It’s sad to see him retire. He’s 34, he’s had a decent innings and hopefully he’s picked the right time to retire. As everyone else has been saying, your health is your wealth.

“If he’s had concussions over the years and he feels he’s suffering from them, then obviously he feels that’s right for him.

“But it’s part of the game — players picking up injuries and getting knocks. He’s a centre-forward, he’s going to be running the channels with centre-halves — it’s what you’d expect. I’m sure he’s knocked a few centre-halves over himself and he’s had a few knocks, and that’s part of the game.

“There’s risk involved in everything, particularly sport. It’s a physical game. I think Kevin’s picked the right time to say, ‘Enough’s enough’. We wish him well, of course.”

Asked if more research needed to be done, Keane said: “I’m sure there is, that’s ongoing. But if you’re worried about the phys- ical side of any sport, you’re wary of it, then play chess.

“It’s part of the game, whether it be hurling, football, American football, the rugby lads, it’s part of the game.

“When you cross that line, there is an element of risk involved. I don’t think it would make a difference to the players playing now. When you cross that line there’s a chance that you might get a knock.

“I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of research going into it. People question the PFA, this and that, but when you cross that line there’s a chance you might get hurt. They’re the risks you take.”

Meanwhile, Keane has told Everton’s “scientists” they have nothing to fear from James McCarthy’s involvement with the Republic of Ireland.

Republic manager Martin O’Neill and Toffees counterpart Ronald Koeman have become embroiled in an increasingly tetchy stand-off over the 26-yearold midfielder, who met up with

Risky business: Roy Keane says footballers will pick up injuries

his international team-mates this week under instructions to put club before country.

McCarthy is yet to play for Everton this season because of a knee injury, and has previously angered the Dutchman by aggravating groin and hamstring problems while with the Republic.

However, O’Neill’s assistant Keane said: “James seems to be getting a lot of injuries at Everton, so I don’t think we’ve anything to worry about in terms of how much we push James.

“To be fair, the medical staff are overseeing all of it and they’re in contact with Everton and all their scientists. I think they’ve more scientists involved now than there needs to be.”