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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Staff reporter

Belfast comedian explains how Roy Keane took revenge for X-rated taunt at Celtic with car prank

Belfast comedian Paddy McDonnell has lifted the lid on a hilarious and slightly terrifying exchange with Roy Keane moments after the Irish man's debut calamity with Celtic.

After leaving Manchester United in late 2005, Celtic fought off competition for the star signing of the boyhood Bhoys fan.

The stage was set for his Hoops debut at Broadwood Stadium in front of the television cameras as Gordon Strachan's men faced off against First Division side Clyde. However, the dream move got off to a nightmare start as the Parkhead side crashed out of the Scottish Cup with a 2-1 defeat and big signing Keane shipped abuse from the stands from McDonnell and others.

Read next: Paddy McDonnell on passion for West Belfast and how first comedy gig was organised by his wife

The result wasn't the only reason Keane was raging after the full-time whistle - but with the help of Neil Lennon, the Corkman set about exacting a measure of revenge with a practical joke of his own.

The Irishman lived up to his hardman reputation when he moved to silence the comedian after the game, McDonnell claimed on Hot Water's Green Room podcast.

"When Roy Keane came to the club (Celtic), I knew Neil Lennon. Keane's first match was against Clyde in the cup, and it was this tiny, tiny stadium," explained McDonnell on the podcast.

"It was freezing. When they came I was calling him a f****** Cork gypsy and he could hear because it was a tiny pitch. He went over to Lennon and said 'Who the f*** is this c***?' and Lennon was like 'I know him, I know him" and all this.

"After the match Lennon had a match-worn top for me, and he said came and meet me outside the ground. I jumped into the front of his car and when I got in, an arm went round my neck and was choking me.

"All I heard was the voice. It was like, 'Who is a f****** Cork gypsy now ya f****** fat c***?' then Lenny is like, 'You need to let him go'.

"Then I look over and he's walking away to his car and I was like holy f*** – the night that was Keane. Tears etc"

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