'That's awful’ - Rory McIlroy tackles Roy Keane on childhood autograph snub

Rory McIlroy took his opportunity to remind a sheepish Roy Keane about their first encounter, more than two decades later, when the Irish soccer legend rejected 12-year-old McIlroy's request for an autograph.

Appearing on the 'Stick to Football' podcast with hosts Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright and Roy Keane, four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy recounted the story which has done the rounds over the years.

"So I was down at Portmarnock Links Hotel and the Irish team were staying, and it was a training camp I think,” explained McIlroy.

"I saw one of my Man United heroes in the lobby, Roy Keane, and I went over and asked him for an autograph.

"He was sitting down and looked up and goes 'not today, kid'. 

"I was like 'okay'," said Mclroy with a shocked face.

"That's awful," exclaimed former Manchester United star Neville, before Keane asked if the story was true.

"Do you know, I was probably in the zone. Were we going training or...?"

"I know you had your spats in the Irish team over the years so I don't know if you were just in a bad mindset, or I don't know what was happening," the Hollywood golfer replied.

"The only thing I remember about that hotel was that there was always kids around annoying the players, and here's another one," joked the former Irish captain before the panel erupted in laughter.

@gneville2

This weeks guest on Stick To Football is Rory McIlroy ! The link is in my bio , have a watch if you like

♬ original sound - Gary Neville

The clip which was posted to TikTok this Wednesday morning has garnered over 650,000 views and 55,000 likes on the popular social media platform at the time of writing. 

The full interview can be watched on The Overlap YouTube channel here.