Roy Keane’s red cards reimagined as art in Dublin exhibition

From Premier League pitches in the 1990s and early 2000s to the walls of a Dublin art gallery, one of the most iconic images of former Manchester United star Roy Keane—his red cards—has found a new context. Irish artist Shanie Hart has reinterpreted all eleven of Keane’s dismissals for the club as oil pastel paintings, recalling incidents often associated with on-field aggression, but rendered in a lighthearted, nostalgic visual style that draws on football’s collective memory.

The exhibition, titled “Sent Off: Paintings of Every Roy Keane Red Card,” opens on September 3 at Haynes Teeth in Dublin, bringing together for the first time Hart’s works chronicling each of Keane’s expulsions during his Manchester United career.

According to a report in The Guardian, Hart recreated the red card moments in colorful works that revisit scenes of violence or their aftermath, but infuse them with humor and nostalgia. Each painting is accompanied by a short quote from Keane himself about the incident, with Hart using old television footage and photographs as references. The aim is to transform controversial football history into standalone art, detached from its original context.

Hart’s project is not about documenting the most violent aspects of Keane’s persona, but rather about how the player himself remembers these moments years later. The idea was inspired after Hart heard Keane recount his red cards on the “Stick to Football” podcast, where he appeared alongside other former players. Hart was struck by Keane’s direct and often humorous reflections, which made the incidents seem less harsh when viewed through the lens of time.

The first incident to inspire Hart was Keane’s 1995 sending off against Crystal Palace, after he stamped on Gareth Southgate’s foot. Hart revisited the scene after hearing Keane discuss it on the podcast, then began painting the rest of the red card moments one by one. Hart says he did not initially plan to paint all the cards, but after sharing one or two pieces and seeing growing interest, he felt compelled to complete the series.

The works range from depictions of direct confrontations to scenes focusing on the aftermath. They include a painting of Keane’s clash with former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, another showing Chelsea’s Gus Poyet after Keane’s challenge during the FA Charity Shield, and the infamous tackle on Manchester City’s Alf-Inge Haaland in 2001.

Each painting features a short phrase linked to the incident, taken from Keane’s own remarks, adding a satirical dimension that goes beyond simply recreating the moment. Rather than presenting the red cards as a record of disciplinary action, Hart’s works turn them into a series of memorable moments, filtered through Keane’s unique perspective and commentary.

Hart, 36, has been a Manchester United and Republic of Ireland fan since childhood. In addition to the Keane series, he paints other football and pop culture subjects, including moments from Irish national team history and figures that resonate with his generation’s sporting memories.

The artist says Keane’s personality itself contributed to the project’s success, noting that public interest was drawn not just to the paintings but also to the player, whose controversial moments have become part of his enduring public image.

Roy Keane remains a prominent figure in British and Irish football, more than two decades after his Manchester United career ended. Since retiring as a player and stepping away from management, he has become a well-known pundit and media personality, recognized for his direct style, sharp commentary, and regular appearances on sports programs and podcasts such as “Stick to Football.” This media presence has kept Keane relevant to audiences who may not have seen him play.

Some of Keane’s infamous moments remain vivid in football memory, including his notorious 2001 clash with Alf-Inge Haaland—a story that has gained renewed attention among fans, as Haaland is the father of Norwegian star Erling Haaland.