WE ARE DEALING with two different sports but that has not stopped the debate.
In response to a raft of comments in recent weeks, fuelled by Brian O’Driscoll retirement speculation, we have decided to put the O’Driscoll versus Roy Keane question on the floor.
Both men have excelled in their chosen sports.
Keane and O’Driscoll have represented their country with distinction. (©INPHO/Andrew Paton and James Crombie)
O’Driscoll has won a Celtic League and three Heineken Cups with Leinster while his international haul includes a Six Nations championship, Grand Slam and four Triple Crowns.
He has multiple nominations for IRB Player of the Year and All Black Conrad Smith has called him the greatest centre to ever play the game.
In 125 games for Ireland, O’Driscoll has dotted down for 46 tries and has kicked five drop goals.
Keane won seven league titles, four FA Cup crowns, the Champions League and the Community Shield on four occasions with Manchester United. In his season with Glasgow Celtic he won league and League Cup medals.
While at United he won the PFA Player of the Year at the tail-end of the 1999/00 season. He scored nine goals in 67 international games for Ireland.
Speaking last year, Keane’s former United teammate Ryan Giggs said, “That’s his greatest strength – getting the most out of the players around him… he would drive you forward through fear, really, and his example on the pitch; his performances.
“He was such a great leader; a natural leader.”
