Keane quits international scene

'Time has come to retire'
"Like all football supporters in the country, I am disappointed the Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for the World Cup," Keane said. "I feel the time has come when I should retire from international football and concentrate on domestic football."

Second retirement
Ireland finished fourth in qualifying Group 4 after they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Switzerland on Wednesday. The end of their World Cup hopes has prompted Keane, 34, to call time on his national-team career for a second time. He previously quit the Irish set-up on the eve of the 2002 finals in Korea/Japan following a disagreement with the management. This time, however, he has given his backing to the manager, saying criticism of Brian Kerr was "unjust and unfair".