McAteer and Keane End Two Decades of Silence After Chance Cafe Encounter

Jason McAteer has revealed how his long-running feud with Roy Keane finally eased last year, bringing an unexpected end to one of Irish football’s most notorious fallouts after a brief encounter in a local cafe.

The former Republic of Ireland team-mates had not spoken for more than 20 years following a bitter split that traced back to the 2002 World Cup, a tournament that reshaped their relationship and left lasting scars across Irish football.

The disagreement stemmed from Keane’s dramatic departure from the squad before the tournament began, after clashing with manager Mick McCarthy over preparation standards. McAteer publicly backed the manager, a stance that placed him firmly on the opposite side of Keane during one of the most divisive moments in the nation’s football history.

The fallout intensified later that year when Manchester United met Sunderland in the Premier League. Keane and McAteer clashed repeatedly during a tense 1 1 draw, with Keane eventually sent off following a late altercation. The incident cemented their animosity and ensured the relationship remained frozen for decades.

At the time, both players were high-profile figures in English football. Keane was United’s driving force, winning titles and setting standards, while McAteer had already lifted major honours with Liverpool and later became a key figure at Sunderland. Their rivalry extended beyond the pitch into the media, where sharp words replaced dialogue.

The match itself was played in a charged atmosphere, shaped by recent World Cup events and personal history. Every challenge between the two carried extra edge, and teammates sensed the tension long before the sending off arrived late in the contest.

Keane’s dismissal came after sustained confrontation, with McAteer later admitting he knew how to provoke his opponent. The red card became a symbolic moment, representing the complete breakdown of any remaining respect between the pair.

For years afterward, the feud simmered publicly. Interviews, books, and punditry appearances kept the dispute alive, reinforcing the idea that reconciliation was unlikely.

That perception shifted quietly last year. McAteer found himself in a cafe with his wife when Keane entered with his family. They did not speak, but when McAteer later asked for the bill, he was told it had already been paid by Keane, who had left moments earlier.

The gesture struck McAteer deeply and prompted reflection on two decades of hostility. With the help of Jamie Carragher, a line of indirect communication followed, confirming that while Keane accepted the thanks, the relationship would remain distant.

The episode marked a soft ending rather than a full reconciliation, but it closed a chapter that had lingered since 2002. For McAteer, it was a reminder of how football rivalries can outlast careers, and how even the smallest act can finally bring perspective to a long and bitter standoff.