Contents
Introduction
If you are a fan of Irish football, you have probably heard of Robbie Keane and Roy Keane, two of the most successful and influential players in the history of the national team. Both have captained the Republic of Ireland, scored memorable goals, and represented some of the biggest clubs in Europe. But are they related? Do they share the same bloodline or surname by coincidence? In this article, we will explore the facts and myths behind the relationship between Robbie Keane and Roy Keane.
The Keane Family Tree
According to Wikipedia, Robbie Keane was born on 8 July 1980 in Tallaght, Dublin, to Robert and Anne Keane. He has three brothers, Graham, Alan, and Mark, and one sister, Natasha. He grew up in a working-class family and started playing football at a young age. He joined his first club, Fettercairn YFC, when he was six years old.
Roy Keane was born on 10 August 1971 in Cork, to Maurice and Marie Keane. He has four brothers, Pat, Denis, Johnson, and Peter, and one sister, Hilary. He also grew up in a working-class family and developed a passion for football. He joined his first club, Rockmount AFC, when he was nine years old.
As you can see, there is no direct link between Robbie Keane and Roy Keane in terms of their parents or siblings. They were born in different cities, nine years apart, and have different middle names (Robert David Keane and Roy Maurice Keane). However, that does not mean that they are not related at all. It is possible that they have some distant relatives in common, as Ireland is a small country with a long history of migration and intermarriage.
The Keane DNA Test
In 2017, Robbie Keane took part in a TV show called Who Do You Think You Are?, where he traced his ancestry and discovered some surprising facts about his family history. He learned that his paternal grandfather was a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the War of Independence and that his maternal grandmother was a Jewish refugee from Poland who escaped the Holocaust.
He also took a DNA test that revealed his genetic makeup. According to the show’s website, he is 94% Irish/Scottish/Welsh, 3% Scandinavian, 2% Iberian Peninsula (Spain/Portugal), and 1% Ashkenazi Jewish. He also has some traces of Middle Eastern and North African ancestry.
Unfortunately, we do not have any information about Roy Keane’s DNA test or ancestry. However, based on his appearance and surname, we can assume that he is mostly of Irish descent. According to Ancestry.com, the name Keane is derived from the Gaelic word “O Cathain”, meaning “descendant of Cathan”, a personal name derived from “cath”, meaning “battle”. The name is common in counties Clare, Limerick, Galway, and Kerry.
Therefore, it is likely that both Robbie Keane and Roy Keane have some shared ancestors who lived in Ireland centuries ago. However, without a DNA test or a detailed family tree, it is impossible to determine how closely related they are or if they are related at all.
The Keane Football Legacy
Regardless of their biological relationship, Robbie Keane and Roy Keane have a lot in common when it comes to their football careers. They both played for the Republic of Ireland national team for over 14 years and became their country’s most capped outfield players (146 for Robbie and 67 for Roy). They both scored nine goals for their country and participated in major tournaments such as the World Cup and the European Championship.
They also played for some of the same clubs during their club careers. They both played for Nottingham Forest in the early 1990s (although not at the same time) and for Celtic in the mid-2000s (although briefly). They also faced each other several times as rivals when Roy played for Manchester United and Robbie played for Tottenham Hotspur.
They both had successful club careers, winning numerous trophies and awards. Roy won seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups, one Champions League trophy, one Intercontinental Cup trophy, one Scottish Premier League title, one Scottish League Cup trophy, four FA Charity Shield trophies, one FA Youth Cup trophy, one PFA Players’ Player of the Year award (2000), two PFA Team of the Year awards (1999–2000), one FWA Footballer of the Year award (2000), one UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award (1999), one UEFA Team of the Year award (1999), one FIFA World XI award (1999), one FIFA 100 award (2004), one Premier League Hall of Fame award (2021), and one English Football Hall of Fame award (2004).
Robbie won one League Cup trophy, one Scottish Premier League title, one Scottish League Cup trophy, three MLS Cup trophies, three MLS Supporters’ Shield trophies, one FAI Cup trophy, one FAI President’s Cup trophy, one FAI Senior Challenge Cup trophy, two FAI Young Player of the Year awards (1997–1998), four FAI Senior International Player of the Year awards (2001, 2004, 2007–2008), two FAI International Goal of the Year awards (2005–2006), one Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year award (2003), one Celtic Player of the Year award (2010), three LA Galaxy Player of the Year awards (2012–2014), three MLS Best XI awards (2012–2014), one MLS MVP award (2014), and one MLS All-Star Game MVP award (2015).
They both also became managers after their playing careers. Roy managed Sunderland and Ipswich Town and was an assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest. Robbie managed ATK in India and is currently the head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robbie Keane and Roy Keane are not brothers or cousins, but they might have some distant relatives in common. They are both Irish football legends who have achieved great success and fame in their careers. They have a lot in common in terms of their playing style, achievements, and passion for the game. They are both respected and admired by fans and peers alike. They are both part of the Keane football legacy that will live on for generations to come.
