Roy Keane has been replaced as ITV’s pundit for tonight’s international friendly between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium. Manchester United legend Keane is a regular on ITV’s England games alongside Ian Wright and has worked with the broadcaster for nearly 15 years. However, she was replaced this evening by Emma Hayes after her mother tragically passed away at the age of 79 earlier today.
ITV presenter Mark Pugatch said: “Good evening. Emma Hayes and Ian Wright are pitchside at Wembley tonight. We all send our condolences to Roy Keane and his family on the sad passing of his mother Marie. Our thoughts are with the entire Keane family tonight.” A death notice from Ireland said Marie passed away “peacefully today, surrounded by her loving family and in the tender loving care of the doctors, nurses and staff at Marymount University Hospital and Hospice St. Ann’s Ward.” Keane is also not expected to be at Wembley on Tuesday, when England play Japan, as he and his family grieve.
The 54-year-old Irishman was close to his mother and regularly returned home to visit her. When he visited Cork to meet her in January 2022, he posted a photo of them together with the caption: “The only boss who listens to me.”
Marie leaves behind four children: Dennis, Johnson, Hilary, Roy and Pat. She was predeceased by her husband Maurice (aka Mossy) and her brother Pat.
The Keanes are a close-knit family and the former United and Ireland captain shed tears when he saw a picture of his father and mother on an episode of Stick to Football last year. On that occasion, the Keenes brought mementos to the studio with Wright and his colleagues.
In his first autobiography, Keene: An Autobiography, released in 2002, Roy recalled how his parents were shining examples to him as a child. He said: “As a child, I knew that money was always scarce. For example, we never had a car. And yet, to be honest, I was never really short of anything.
“My mother, Marie and father were warm and loving parents. My older brothers and sisters looked out for me. I was probably spoiled as I was the youngest. Rockmount attracted some of the best young footballers from all over Cork, including the Glen, Knocknaheeny and Blackpool.
“For me, it meant a seven-mile trip there and back, but it wasn’t a hassle. My mom always paid for the bus fare, and if I needed soccer cleats, she miraculously provided them. They might not be the best brand on the market, but they were more than enough for me.”
