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Robert Hynes

Republic of Ireland fans hit out at Roy Keane over Stephen Kenny criticism

A number of Republic of Ireland fans have hit out at Roy Keane after his comments on Stephen Kenny and his backroom team's celebrations following their late goal against Lithuania.

A 97th minute strike from Troy Parrott gave the Boys in Green a 1-0 win over the Baltic state at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Tottenham striker, currently on loan at MK Dons, produced his third senior international strike in the nick of time after Chiedozie Ogbene twice, Conor Hourihane and Scott Hogan had seen efforts chalked off.

Read more: Roy Keane slams Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny for Lithuania celebrations

The goal led to celebrations on both the pitch and the sideline as Kenny hugged his assistant Keith Andrews, but Keane was not impressed.

He said on ITV: “It was an important win. Better late than never, but they made hard work of it.

“I think the celebrations at the end are way over the top. But an important goal, even for Parrott, he’s a young player.

“His career has probably stalled a little bit. But they kept going. Showed a bit of spirit and fight. You take that win. The feel-good factor. Keep that going. A bit of momentum.

“Honestly. That’s way over the top. For managers, staff and players. To react that way, to a friendly win. Come on! Get over it.”

But a number of Ireland fans disagreed with Keane's comments and hit out at the Manchester United legend online.

One said: "Jeepers, I would not want to live in Roy Keane"s world!!! They won a match and celebrated it and that makes them wrong? Good grief, what a miserable way to think."

Another commented: "Typical Keane, nothing good to say about anything. He definitely has a chip on his shoulder. Let Kenny get on with his job. By the way at the moment doing a good one."

Someone else posted: "If there was a Eurovision crying contest.. Roy Keane would be our entry year in year out..."

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny celebrates (Image: ©INPHO/Evan Treacy)

One other comment read: "Kenny doing a great job end of story."

"Keane is becoming increasingly irrelevant , and losing the respect of more and more football fans, with his worthless, and spiteful comments," read another.

But some fans did agree with Keane and thought that the celebrations were a bit over the top, reports the Irish Mirror.

One said: "Celebrations were a bit over the top in fairness."

Another posted: "Celebrating beating one of the worst teams in the world in a friendly!!! It was embarrassing, Keane is right, Kenny jumping around like they'd qualified for the World Cup."

Read more: The Roy Keane training regime when former Manchester United captain was at his peak

Read more: Elliott Morris picks out the Best Glentoran XI he ever played with

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