RODDY DOYLE SAYS he’s more interested in the personality at the centre of the Roy Keane autobiography he’s ghost-writing with the Ireland assistant manager rather than revealing any dressing-room secrets.
The Booker Prize-winning novelist is penning The Second Half with the Corkman, which will be released later this year.
“It wouldn’t be why I’d sit down and write the book to be honest with you,” said Doyle when asked by Sean O’Rourke if there would be a ‘big reveal’ within the book’s pages.
“It’s not what I’d be interested in finding. I’m much more interested in the personality really and the events, the events carry the personality I think. I find I’m interested in the personality.”
The Dubliner however insists the project is on track and he’s enjoying the process of working closely with Keane.
“It’s coming along well. I can’t talk much about it, I don’t want to really, it’s not superstition but I hate talking about things that haven’t quite been written yet,” he says.
“But yeah, I am up against a fierce deadline but that to me is kind of refreshing because it’s the first time I’ve ever worked in this way before. I’d always paddled my own canoe; I’ve never been contractually obliged to do anything for anybody, I’ve always been very independent.
“So, I started working, I think late January was the first time we met and been charging through it ever since. I have to hand it in next month. So yeah it is a pretty intense deadline but it’s going very well, I’m enjoying it. It’s a seven-day week though.”
The Commitments author explained how he became involved in the much-anticipated memoir.
“I got an email, an invitation from a publisher asking would I be interested in writing a book with Roy Keane,” he said. “So, I gave it some thought as to ‘did I want to do it?’, ‘would I be any good at it?’ — you know reasonable questions. The fact that I wasn’t a sports journalist, ‘was that an advantage or not?’ The fact that I wasn’t a Manchester United supporter, ‘could that be an advantage?’
“So I gave it some thought and said yeah I am interested. I don’t know why my name was thrown into the bucket.”
“We meet very regularly and we go through stuff for about four-hour sessions. And we go back over things again and again and again. And I think the spark in the book will be in the going back over things. We go through passages and chapters line by line and I make changes. So, it’s very much the two of us working together.”
Wonder will roy be signing copies. I’ll be buying it anyway. Read the first autobiography over 2 days. Signed and all by Roy. What a gent he was!
He’s told his story already though. He wrote a book. It was a good book. It sold well. Why,now, another book? There have been no achievements in his life since the publication of Keane to warrant the writing of the next chapter. The whole thing stinks of Attention seeking and money grabbing by both author and subject. Personally I would rather read the Martin O’neil memoir, ghostwritten, by Martin Dillon perhaps. At least it would a fresh subject about a man who actually achieved something after his playing career was finished and the author would have a proven track record.
Is Roy Georgie Burgess?
Good girdle Sharon!
It’ll be wall to wall curse words. Lookin forward to it
You have to love keane having another book written when he said only a few months ago. “People love doing books to criticise other people’ but they feel they have to. What’s this book about then? #hypocrite
This book is probably about having the last word in his ongoing feud with Alex Ferguson I would be thinking.
If Ireland are to win the world cup sometime in the future it will only be done with Roy Keane as manager
Are you for real ?? Just wait till Manchester Unt. Come a knocking on his door Roy will be gone like a goid thing
Has Roddy asked you to help with the spelling and grammar ?
A true patriot !
Any autobiography of Keane has been made redundant by the “Triggs” autobiography. It was glorious.
If its anything like Doyle’s usual populist drivel. Though on that basis, probably the right man for the job. Keano’s Ma said this and Keano’s Da said that and Fergie pegged him and Keano did this and then Keano did that and Fergie is a bollix blah blah blah
Ha Andrew ur just trolling now everytime theres a Roy Keane story up u pop criticising!
Doyle is a gifted writer of fiction – hope he can make the transition here – difficult subject matter and getting agreement on anything that doesn’t show Cork as the best place on this planet will be very difficult !!!
It’s not the first non-fiction he’s written. He wrote a book about his parents called Rory and Ita,
It was shite though
Quick summary of aforementioned work: oh me da said this and me ma said that. and damo said i was a bollix
Any reputation Doyle had is now in tatters.
Whats it called Traitor
Why would a foreigner care ?
No, the turncoat.
That’s a pretty xenophobic comment there Jim
Interesting when you think of Keane’s lack of commitment to Irish football fans in Seipan —- I bet he wants a film out of this deal called “Commitments my arxx.” Instead of a Director it will have a Dictator.
One thing about Keane is he’ll do what’s unexpected and certainly won’t pander to anyone else. Wouldn’t be surprised if he completely glosses over Fergie or even buries the hatchet. Either way looking forward to it and with Roddy Doyle writing it should be a great read.
I have seldom read such a collection of small-minded petty comments. Grow up. Keane’s book will be a best seller and deservedly so.