An artist from the Netherlands was left speechless earlier this week when Roy Keane happened to stop and admire a mural he was painting of the former Ireland, Manchester United and Celtic player.
Roy Valk, who completes art works for all the restaurants in the Fat Phill's chain, had put the final touches on a mural facing their new restaurant on Cook Street in Cork city when his name sake stopped for a quick chat.
Mr Keane jokingly asked the artist if his hair was really as grey in real life as it was in the mural.
Mr Valk told the Neil Prendeville show on Cork’s Red FM that he was taking a picture of the mural when a few passersby paused to look at the mural.
He very politely asked them if they could move on for a very short period to allow him to take a few photographs for work purposes.
Mr Valk heard a laugh and realised the former footballer was in front of him.
The 54-year-old former manager turned football pundit told Mr Valk that he had to go to a meeting but would return within the hour for a proper conversation.
"He (Mr Keane) came back about thirty minutes later and we got a photograph taken," Mr Valk said.
"He was very nice and said he liked the mural."
Mr Valk added that Mr Keane was clean shaven in person and looked "a lot younger" than in the mural where he is sporting a grey beard.
Fat Phill’s is a Dutch chain which also has restaurants in the UK who are known for their smash burger.
The company had been keen to set up an outlet in Cork for some time. They opened a restaurant in Temple Bar in Dublin last year.
Their location in Cork city will open on 15 March.
