BITTER KEANO SEEMS TO BE FORGETTING SOMETHING; FRENCH NICKERS AMAZING ROY KEANE RANT AS HANDBALL ROW RAGES ON & ON.. & ON: You've a short & selective memory Roy .. the man who walked out on our 2002 World Cup adventure in the Far East would have had to have been dragged: off referee Martin Hannson kicking and screaming if he'd been playing for.

Byline: PAUL O'HEHIR

ROY Keane would have chased Martin Hansson all the way to the Eiffel Tower to protest about Thierry Henry's handy intervention in Paris.

And it's an easy one to picture.

'That' piercing wide-eyed stare would reduce the referee to a dribbling mess before Keane unleashed a volley of venomous abuse, veins pumping, popping and gurgling in his head and neck all the while.

So for him to tell the Irish fans, the Irish players and even the FAI to "get over" their World Cup elimination is hypocritical and symbolic of the self-serving PR machine he has become.

"France are going to the World Cup - get over it," was the stark message he delivered yesterday in a fiery rant that dominated airwaves.

"They want sympathy as usual. It is the usual carry on and it is boring," he added.

"I have been amazed at the commotion over the past few days."

And having been perceived by some a hero of sorts for walking out of the 2002 World Cup, he has become an overnight figure of hate and contempt.

Keane just couldn't resist putting himself back in the spotlight. Ever since hanging up his boots, he intervenes on a wide range of issues.

Keane loves to vent his spleen but his determination to play up to the 'Big Bad Wolf' caricature of himself is now cringing.

Now that he's no longer involved in the Irish set-up he'd be best served biting his lip when questioned and brush up on his dubious managerial credentials.

'Getting over' things is something Keane struggles to do.

He can't lay the ghosts of Saipan and couldn't resist yet another petty pop at FAI chief John Delaney (below) last night. Everyone knows the association has had a long and comical history of shooting themselves in the foot. They are no angels on the best of days. But you can't fault their request to replay the French game.

Yes, Ireland squandered chances to win Wednesday's game in normal time - but the bottom line is Thierry Henry cheated and yesterday admitted that a replay would the be fairest thing.

Of course, Keane is entitled to his opinion as an Irishman.

But in dragging up his spat with the FAI from 2002, what is he trying to achieve? It's not the time or the place.

He's morphing into his fellow Corkman Stephen Ireland who cant help himself either.

Both fire from the hip, and generate a colourful quote or two. But their ill-timed rants are increasingly petty, desperate and bitter.

Keane should be remembered as the Ireland and Manchester United skipper who played wonderful football with his heart on his sleeve at the highest level - not a bitter laughingstock.

"John Delaney talks about the honesty and integrity of the game but I would not take any notice of that man," said Keane last night, dragging up Saipan again of his own accord.

"People forget what went on in the World Cup in 2002 and that man talks about honesty.

"He didn't even have the courtesy to call me then, all he said when he was interviewed was I was on the Island somewhere.

"I have been involved with Ireland since I was 15 years but he didn't have the decency to even make a phone call.

"He knew where to find me - he could have tried my hotel room - and he goes on about the honesty of the game."

What has that got to do with anything that happened this week, Roy? The 2010 World Cup is the debate, not 2002.

Believe it or not, people have moved on. And Ireland's stunning performance in Paris on Wednesday should have drawn a line under Saipan.

Irish football has been stalked by a dirty, dark cloud for the last seven years and the exhilarating performance at Stade de France signaled a turning point at long last.

But Keane just couldn't help himself yesterday, allowing his personal bitterness muddy the waters at a time when the Irish team feel genuinely short changed.

The Ipswich manager also had a pop at the Irish players, insisting they only had themselves to blame for their World Cup elimination.

"France were there for the taking but Ireland never grabbed it - as usual," he said. "They were afraid of that next step and were mentally not strong enough.

"They can complain all they want. That is not going to change anything.

"How can you let Henry get goal side of you? How can you let the ball bounce in the box?," he asked of defender Paul McShane and goalkeeper Shay Given.

The same Paul McShane that Keane signed as Sunderland manager? The very one.

"It was instinct for Henry. Would I call him a cheat - no I wouldn't think so. Did he bend the rule a little? Maybe."

Keane added: "Managers, who are English, are being interviewed about Ireland as if they would be bothered. "Do you think they stay awake at night worrying about Ireland? It's a nonsense. If it was England I wouldn't be worried.

"It's a farce. It is an over-reaction from everybody which is usual in Ireland.

"The Irish supporters, the manager and most of the players probably deserve better but I'm not sure the FAI deserve better. What goes around comes around."

Yet at the end of it all, Keane insisted past experiences were not behind yesterday's rant.

"I'm not on a personal crusade against the FAI," he said. "I have been involved with Ireland since I was 15. I'm Irish born and reared so I'm entitled to my opinion."

CAPTION(S):

BRAWL GAME Keane loved to pressurise referees BAWL GAME Defeat was too much for Damien Duff SHOOTING FROM THE LIP Roy Keane tore into the FAI yesterday - and Ireland's display in the Stade de France