Roy Keane recalls quitting smoking aged 11 to concentrate on football

Cork footballing legend Roy Keane has admitted to kicking his smoking habit at 11, to concentrate on his sporting career. 

Keane recalled how he and his mates were partial to having a smoke. However, the future Manchester United star decided to turn down the offer of an underage cigarette as he already wanted to be a professional footballer.

He recalled the incident in the Overlap's Stick to Football podcast. During the podcast, Keane along with Ian Wright and Gary Neville were quizzed on which World Cup was their favourite and Neville picked out the 1982 event, which was hosted by Spain and won by Italy.

Keane agreed with Neville's choice and recalled how it inspired him: "100 per cent agree. '82 World Cup, amazing. I remember we used to play football after the games in the evening. In 1982, I would have been 11. I was with my friends and we were playing football and we'd have the odd cigarette when we were about 11.

"I was playing and they went: 'Are you having this?' And I remember going: 'I'm giving them up. I'm giving them up. I want to be a footballer. I'm giving them up, lads'."

Keane's dedication proved right as he went on to have a decorated career, playing League of Ireland for Cobh Ramblers, before signing for Nottingham Forest and then Manchester United.