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Football

02nd Jun 2016

WATCH: Robbie Keane hurling in the Fota Island sunshine is an encouraging sight

Mikey Stafford

Kieran Kingston, sign him up.

Cork hurling is going through something of an existential crisis at the moment, with many thinking there are not the players in the county for the ‘Blood and Bandages’ to compete at the highest level.

Well, Ireland’s record goal-scorer is hurling up a storm in Fota Isalnd right now, for what it is worth. Not sure Cork GAA could match his LA Galaxy wages, for a variety of reasons, but Irish football fans will be heartened by the sight.

A calf injury precluded Robbie Keane from taking part in the 2-1 defeat to Belarus in Turner’s Cross on Tuesday night, but Martin O’Neill still named the striker in his final 23-man squad – suggesting Keane will be fit for the Belgium game in Bordeaux on June 18th, if not the opener with Sweden on June 13th.

Republic of Ireland Squad Training, Fota Island Resort, Cork 2/6/2016 Robbie Keane looks on as Jonathan Walters leaves training early with physio Dan Horan Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

Hint of a golf grip there now Robbie.

Republic of Ireland Squad Training, Fota Island Resort, Cork 2/6/2016 Robbie Keane tries his hand at hurling Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

While Jon Walters sat out training Thursday to nurse his own calf problem but Keane was out on the ridiculously manicured Fota pitch, having a puckabout.

Republic of Ireland Squad Training, Fota Island Resort, Cork 2/6/2016 Robbie Keane tries his hand at hurling Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

He’s no Shane Long (or Niall Quinn) but the Tallaght native has some skills.

Now if he could only get his calf in order and get back to doing what he does best – scoring goals – that would be great.

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