THERE WERE PLENTY of heartfelt tributes paid to Robbie Keane last night as he was inducted into the FAI Hall of Fame.
The former Ireland captain and record goalscorer retired from international duty last August following 18 years of service to the senior side, having scored 68 goals in 146 appearances.
Several former international and club teammates and managers paid tribute to the 36-year-old, but one in particular stole the show.
His old partner in crime in the Tottenham attack, Dimitar Berbatov gave a glowing account of their time together at White Hart Lane, and there was no shortage of humour in between.
“So Robbie Keane and Hall of Fame. The best possible partnership.
“But is there any other partnership that can be compared to this one? What do you think, Keano? Are you thinking what I’m thinking? I know you do mate, I know you do.
Remember, you and me on the pitch. Making fun of the defenders, scoring for fun. You, running for both of us, talking for both of us. I remember.
“Me playing with you actually made me a better player. You’re always there for the team, always helping the players — on the pitch, outside the pitch. In training, you are the full professional. In the games, you’re always fighting until the last minute, always trying to score.
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“You became the leading goalscorer of your country, what an achievement that is. So you fully deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Congratulations to you, I wish you all the luck in the world in everything you do in life. It was an honour playing with you, man.”
Another ex-Tottenham teammate Michael Carrick, former teammate at Liverpool and LA Galaxy Steven Gerard and Brazil legend Pelé also weighed in with some kind words.
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“How many caps” is pushing the boundary of what normal people care about or know. Try to avoid these ridiculous questions and you’ll get more readers without “what are ewe doing?”
@Gavin Scott:
Since he is retiring and he is the Irish Captain, it was headlines in a lot of papers, Maybe that was the reason
@Martin Quinn: Na, the caps question comes up a lot. Even in GAA. Not really a valid or important piece of information in my books. The world of sport has much more interesting facts.
@Gavin Scott: How many caps can a player win playing GAA?
@Paul Linehan: Just the one from the Cul Camp days I think.
@Gavin Scott: county questions are irrelevant too unless it is about football or hurling. What county is this boxer from? Useless
Solid 6 in what was testing conditions
They should start making quizzes for each sport. Say 1 for soccer, gaa, rugby and then this one
@Beer Belly 0476: I second that! Paul maybe something for the future pal
3/10 on the 42.ie, and then 8/10 on the Journal. FFS
Not going to post my score this week! Atrocious!! These quizzes are getting harder!! Have a good Easter!
9/10 women’s world cup venue caught me out
8. A mispress on tiger and didn’t know Best’s cap number. To be fair I fluked the boxing one, so it all balances out in the end.
9. Bloody Boxing.
5/10. Brendan o Toole you got inspiration from the new golf shoes you bought with boom boom.
And what if one dont know your sport WE do exists