4 hours ago
17
Roy Keane may be one the most famous ever hardmen in Premier League history, but he also has a softer side when it comes to family.
The Manchester United legend, who is usually very private about his family life, shared a rare photograph to social media on Wednesday to celebrate his son Aidan's marriage, posing alongside his wife Theresa Doyle and the newlyweds in a black dinner jacket.
'Beautiful day celebrating my son and his wife,' the no-nonsense pundit wrote in the captions, offering fans a rare glimpse of his gentler side.
Keane has been married to Theresa for almost 28 years and shares five children with her – Shannon, Caragh, Aidan, Leah, and Alanna.
The former Republic of Ireland captain retired in 2006 after a winning a plethora of honours at Manchester United — including seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League — but the start of his relationship to Theresa was reportedly far less successful than his career with the ball.
According to Keane, shortly after they met in a Nottingham club in 1992, the couple's first date ended with her getting out of the car and slamming the door.
Former Premier League hardman Roy Keane saves his softer side for his family life at home
Keane celebrated a family milestone earlier this week as his son Aidan married his partner
The ex-Man United star and wife Theresa, who met in 1992, did not have the ideal first date
Speaking on The Tommy Tiernan Show in 2023, Keane shared how he picked her up for a drive but had no real plan for the date — and was left unimpressed by his suggestion of the cinema or drinks.
'She got out and I said, "Might see you next week?" and she said "I don't think so" and slammed the door. That was my first date. And we're still married,' he said.
Decades on, the United legend has welcomed multiple grandchildren into the Keane household, having celebrated becoming a grandfather for the third time in April.
Referencing one of his infamous punditry one-liners, a quip he used to a describe Liverpool star Andy Robertson in 2023, Keane celebrated the family moment with a post captioned: 'My new grandson, big baby'.
The ex-footballer has also previously shared light-hearted social media posts with his other grandchildren, once dressing as Paw Patrol's Chase for a fancy-dress party and laughing about his 'always smiling' resemblance with his grandson.
A fourth grandchild is on the way too. Daughter Leah, who is in a relationship with Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, announced in August that she is also expecting her first child next year.
When Harwood-Bellis was called up for international duty last year, earning his solitary senior England cap under Lee Carsley, many fans were shocked to hear that he was the daughter of Keane's second-youngest daughter.
Rather poetically, the Saints centre-back scored on his international debut against the Republic of Ireland — a goal which undoubtedly would have risked an uneasy atmosphere in the Keane household.
Asked how he felt about Harwood-Bellis' goal after the match, Keane — who was a pundit for ITV on the night — was able to see the funny side and jokingly said: 'Bittersweet for me, this.'
The Manchester United legend has welcomed multiple grandchildren into the Keane household, pictured with his third grandchild above - 'My new grandson, big baby'
He was not afraid of showing off his cuddly side as Chase from PAW Patrol with grandchildren
A fourth grandchild is on the way for Keane too - his daughter Leah (middle) is expecting her first child with Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis (right)
The couple announced the news earlier this year with a series of black-and-white photographs
Host Mark Pougatch pointed out that Harwood-Bellis is Keane's future son-in-law, to which the Manchester United legend quipped: 'It’s not done and dusted yet!'
Days after his debut goal for England, the youngster shared photos of his proposal to Leah on social media, finally unmasking the details of their engagement after attempting to keep their relationship private.
Harwood-Bellis got down on one knee on June 13, 2024 on a yacht with the beautiful backdrop of Positano on Italy's Amalfi Coast.
'I can't wait to marry you,' Leah wrote alongside a series of stunning photos in a collaborated post on Harwood-Bellis' Instagram.
Prior to the engagement announcement, there was little known about their relationship. The couple are believed to have been together for at least six years, with a picture of them together in 2019 having surfaced online.
While celebrating the marriages and engagements of his children, and births of his grandchildren, Keane has also acted as a constant support for his family through difficult times.
His daughter Caragh opened up earlier this month on being diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that mistakenly attacks the body's healthy tissues.
After being left bed-bound for three months, Caragh, 29, launched her own health-conscious business Superkeen, a gut-friendly cereal which has been rolled out to national supermarkets.
Harwood-Bellis and fiancee Leah shared photos from their summer engagement last year
Daughter Caragh (right) has revealed how her father has helped her through difficult times
After being bed-bound three months with lupus disease, her father's humour has got Caragh thinking positively again, and she has now set up her own brand, SUPERKEEN
Speaking on the impact her father has had on her and the business, she previously said: 'Do you know what so many people say? He's a bit of an enigma. But being my dad, he's just one of the funniest people you will meet. He is so very witty.
'He's kind of a unique individual. I'm very grateful to have him, and he's great to chat to. You'll always get good advice from my dad.
'With our Irish background, he's always very "let go of things" or "you're on a path" and "someone's looking out for you". When I've been at my lowest, that's been really helpful.
'He is the most supportive person but he definitely loves his routine. If that is off-kilter, we know about it!'
