DISGRACED Republic of Ireland skipper Roy Keane today said he felt 'betrayed' by Rovers keeper Alan Kelly following his bust up with manager Mick McCarthy.

Keane was sent home in disgrace from the World Cup last week after a heated argument with the Republic boss.

But the fiery Manchester United star insists he feels more let down by some of his team-mates than he does by McCarthy in a row which has rocked Irish football.

Even Prime Minister Bertie Ahern has stepped in to try and solve the dispute in the last couple of days but Keane is adamant the damage is now irreparable.

"I'm aware that there were a lot of important people who wanted me to turn around and rejoin the Irish squad," said Keane.

"I knew the Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, was involved. Michael Kennedy, my lawyer, was waiting for me at the airport when I landed back in London and he told me there were people in high places trying to resolve the situation.

"People from Bertie's office had told Michael they wanted me to go back.

"But I told Michael there and then that there was no way I was going back, not after what Mick had said and what the senior players had done to me.

"I actually feel more betrayed by them than I do by Mick - in particular Quinn, Staunton and Alan Kelly."