Euro 2016: Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill reveals what he told assistant Roy Keane after emotional post-match embrace
MARTIN O’NEILL has revealed what he said to a tearful Roy Keane after the Republic of Ireland’s stunning triumph: ‘Shave your beard and don’t hug me ever again!’
The managerial double act masterminded the Boys in Green’s passage to the last 16 and shared an emotional embrace at full-time in Lille.
Former Manchester United hard man Keane has never looked happier on a football pitch and O’Neill has lifted the lid on their exchange.
He said: "I told him to shave his beard. It was rustling my chin and I don't want him to hug me again ever."
When asked what Keane replied, O’Neill added: "He said, 'You are an ugly sod', and I agreed wholeheartedly.
“I then retorted and said he wasn't Paul Newman either."
Immediately after the final whistle the pair were congratulated by Italy goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon, who was rested as he was suffering from flu.
O'Neill revealed: "He was very complimentary, which was nice considering he's been one of the great goalkeepers of all time.
“We were delighted to win the game and be part of that evening and it was genuinely special.
"We felt that we were part of that evening, one not to be forgotten.
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“To see the fans enjoy it, it more than made up for the Belgium game.
"Last night, players and fans together fused in a way that they kept each other going.”
Robbie Brady nodded in five minutes from time to lift the roof off Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.
And it means that Republic of Ireland will now face France in the last 16.
It will be the first time that the countries have faced each other since their infamous World Cup qualifying play-off clash in 2009 when Thierry Henry handballed in the lead up to a goal that cost Republic of Ireland their spot at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
But O’Neill insists the ‘Hand of Frog’ incident has been forgotten about and will not be on the agenda in team meetings ahead of the game.
He added: "The Thierry Henry [incident] is still probably causing some controversy - maybe more in France than it is in Ireland.
"I think we have decided to forget about it - that's something coming from Ireland. It will be a talking point obviously, but I don't think it will concern us when we play the game."