When Roy Keane came calling, the Manchester United players he asked were quick to answer his request to take part in next month's Liam Miller tribute game at Páirc Uí Chaoimhh.
"I know a lot of these lads are busy and have a lot of commitments but as soon as I got in touch with them, they were delighted to come on board," Keane said at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Former Man Utd players such as Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand will play against a Celtic and Ireland selection managed by Martin O'Neill.
"Obviously, they want to pay their respects to Liam.
"It's been a great response from the players and they're all looking forward to catching up for a bit of a chat and hopefully a few drinks afterwards.
"Even for me getting in touch with these lads, it's been nice. They're still your teammates. Even with Liam's passing, Liam is still a teammate; you have that bond with these lads."
Tickets for the game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh go on sale at 10am on Monday morning via Tickets.ie.
Keane is delighted to see the game played at the home of Cork GAA. He's been there a number of times recently - he's bought 10-year season tickets - and is impressed with the new stadium.
The Ireland captain has never kicked a ball at the Páric. He only took part in a school sports day there aged 12 or 13.
His main hope for the game: that it will be sold out - a fitting tribute for Miller. The game will raise funds for Miller's family along with worthy causes like Marymount Hospice.
There will be a few who will last 90 minutes but there might be one or two who will struggle. Probably myself. Denis Irwin is pushing on a bit so maybe myself and Denis might last 45 minutes.
I'm not sure what shape a lot of these lads are in. I did bump into Paul Scholes last week in Manchester and he's let himself go a little bit. These lads have four or five weeks to get in shape a little bit.
I don't even think that I've told of the players yet that it is down the Páirc - they'll be in for a nice surprise.
They probably don't realise how big the pitch is down Páric Uí Chaoimh. They might be in for a shock. We might have to make it 15-a-side instead of 11.
"Listen, I'm not their Dad," answered Keane when asked if there will be pints had on the night before the game.
"If some of them come in on the Monday night, there will be an option for them to have two or three pints."
Picture credit: Sportsfile
