Cork's hurling management team have availed of Roy Keane's recent retirement by inviting the soccer legend into camp last Friday night. Keane met the All-Ireland champions after a training session for an informal motivational speech followed by a questions-and-answers session that lasted over two hours.

Cork manager John Allen was understandably keen to play down Keane's presence at the session as his players prepare for the All-Ireland quarter-final against Limerick on July 22nd.

"It was no big deal," said Allen. "Not that there is anything sinister about it all. He just came in and talked informally to the players but we won't be revealing any details of the meeting.

"I saw the profiles on our players and many of them said Roy Keane would be the sports personality they would most like to meet. I thought 'maybe I can do something about this'. It was arranged a few months ago and of course we had to wait until his season was over and it suited his schedule."

Through an intermediary, Allen got in touch with Keane, who proved receptive to meeting the players and passing on some of the experience gained over a 15-year career at the peak of professional sport.

"That was the ilk of it: where he has been and that he has done it all in his own sport. There may have been some benefit from him talking of his experiences . . . And of course he is a Corkman. I'm not sure how beneficial it will be in the long run but it is no harm to hear from somebody of his experience on the day-to-day life of being a professional."

Allen's refusal to elaborate on the Keane visit is logical as Cork prepare for the business end of their run toward a possible, historic three-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles.

In response, maybe the Limerick hurlers can feed off the wisdom gained by one of their native sons who recently lifted rugby's European Cup.