The queue for Roy Keane's book-signing session in Cork started before 6 a.m. yesterday, even though he wasn't due in Eason's until mid-afternoon to sign copies of his recent autobiography. Nearly 2,000 people gathered at the bookshop to see him, but only 350 ticket-holders got the opportunity to talk to him.
First in line at 5.50 a.m. was Sarah Twomey (15), of Carrigaline, Co Cork, who said she has pictures of Keane on her bedroom walls.
"I have been planning this since last September. I started liking him when I was nine. My parents thought 6 a.m. was a bit early but I just had to come. He is my hero."
The consensus among the crowd was that Keane was "dead normal" - a man who has never forgotten his roots. Being one of their own was very important for several of them; when asked why they liked Keane, they said: "Because he is from Cork."
A spokesman for Penguin Books, Mr Michael McLoughlin, said Keane's book-signing was more successful than similar ones for Victoria and David Beckham.
Security was low-key but barricades kept the media, which included SKY television and the BBC, from asking too many awkward questions about Mick McCarthy's resignation.
William Corcoran from the Glen, Cork, said people in the city have taken Keane to their hearts because of his low-profile support for charities. He first met the player in 1998 in Manchester after he brought his 24-year-old daughter, who has cerebral palsy, on a trip to Old Trafford. Keane, he said, made sure he and his daughter Amanda had a "dream trip".
"He brought us in to the players' lounge with him. He couldn't do enough for us. A real genuine lad. I appreciate it so much. He recognised Amanda straight away today and was really lovely to her."
Dressed in a grey sweater and slacks, Keane was greeted by shouts of "Keano" and "Ya sexy thing" when he arrived at the shop.
He started the book signing at 2 p.m. - an hour earlier than Eason's had expected.
Zita O'Donoghue (12), of Clogheen, Cork, had come up with the idea of writing a note to her teacher asking to be excused from school and having Roy Keane. She described her meeting with Keane as the highlight of her life - a view echoed by teenager Stephen O'Riordan who said the football player was a living legend in Cork.
Keane remained tight-lipped when asked if he would return to the Irish squad, choosing to just grin at fans who plucked up the courage to ask the question.
Unlucky fans who didn't manage to have a conversation with Keane made sure they got their message across to the player by sticking up handmade posters outside Eason's.
One read: "Needed - World class captain to lead struggling Celtic nation to glory. Must possess unprecedented leadership qualities and strong sense of self belief. Wanted -- return of captain. Reward -- Place in European Championships. Bring Keane back."
Yesterday morning, Keane was greeted at Cork Airport by about 50 fans but said little other than that he was glad to be back in his native city. He told fans he hoped to be match fit within a month.