| Gilroy hoping to paint a different United
 BY PHIL CAMPION
FORMER Ireland under-21 winger Keith Gilroy — who has been a
Manchester United supporter since early childhood — is hoping to be part
of possibly the biggest shock in FA Cup history.
The ex-Middlesbrough player is now a member of Nigel Clough’s Burton
Albion team who have earned the right to face United after he scored two
goals in their 4-1 defeat of UniBond Premier Division Bur-
scough in the second round.
He said: “I’ve been a Manchester United fan since I was a boy so to face
them in the next round was a dream draw for me. Knowing we were playing
United in the cup made my Christmas.”
The Sligo native is desperate to play in this game as he missed the
chance to play against Chelsea two seasons ago.
Gilroy left Middlesbrough in March 2003 and signed for Scarborough. He
was in top-form for the Seadogs but sustained an injury playing,
ironically against Burton Albion, that prevented him turning out against
Chelsea.
He said: “Terry Henshaw, our right-back, broke my foot. It wasn’t a bad
challenge, it was just one of those things, but it made me miss the
Chelsea game. It was terrible to miss a big game like that.
“That is why I was so desperate for us to get through to play United.
Now I’ll hopefully have a chance to be involved in something big.
“To get there is brilliant and its going to be a joyous day for the
town. It will be the biggest day the club has ever had. It is a massive
occasion for the Brewers and their supporters but the players won’t be
overawed by the big occasion.
“All the players were excited when we were drawn against Manchester
United, but the manager has kept us level-headed.”
Formerly with Darlington after leaving Scarborough early this year,
Gilroy has been working for Burton skipper Darren Stride who is a also a
builder. One of Stride’s jobs has been helping to build Burton’s new
stadium.
Gilroy has also been lending a hand in getting Burton’s new home in the
best possible shape for the visit of Manchester United. After the team’s
magnificent second round victory, instead of recovering from the usual
post-match celebrations, Gil-
roy was at the ground with his roller at 8.30am the following morning.
He said: “Some of the lads here do have other jobs but the wage
structure is on a par with some league clubs so it’s fairly well paid.
“That’s why I’ve been working at the ground, it’s not hard work and I’ll
turn my hand to anything.”
The new ground will therefore be in pristine condition for the visit of
the world’s most famous club and the 6,000 home fans will certainly make
it hard for the visitors. Burton Albion will also be hoping to reach the
third round of the FA Cup for only the third time in the club’s 55-year
history.
Barring any last-minute injuries Gilroy looks certain to relish
his day playing against his boyhood idols but
the Sligoman’s only real regret is that he will not be facing Roy Keane
after his shock departure to Parkhead.
He said: “I am only disappointed Roy Keane has left United because that
is the shirt I would have liked to have collected.”
However Gilroy is also conscious of the enormity of the occasion for his
own playing career and hopes his own display on the field might paint an
entirely different picture of Manchester United..
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