Although no Soviet-era queues formed outside Irish bookshops this morning, interest in the controversial Roy Keane autobiography has been described as "brisk".
The book, which went on sale today, is titled Keaneand is ghostwritten by broadcaster and journalist Eamon Dunphy. It is expected to be this year's biggest-selling book in Ireland and the most successful sports book ever.
The Manchester United captain's autobiography was always going to be sell well, but the row in Saipan that led to Keane being sent home from the World Cup by Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has guaranteed it will be a bestseller in Ireland and Britain.
The initial print run of Keaneis 205,000, with 40,000 copies allocated to Irish bookshops.
In the serialised accounts already published, Keane has severely criticised the management style of McCarthy and former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton.
But it was comments made in connection with a challenge on Manchester City's captain Alfe Inge Haaland 18 months ago, that have garnered the most headlines in recent weeks.
Both Keane and his club are being sued by Manchester City and their captain after Keane appeared to suggest he had deliberately injured the Norwegian international during a league match between the local rivals at Old Trafford in April 2001.
The FA in England and the Professional Footballers' Association are said to be investigating Haaland's claims and yesterday a British MP suggested that Keane face criminal proceedings based on the serialised version of events that appeared in the News of the World.
Another version of events in Saipan and beyond is expected in Mick McCarthy: Ireland's World Cup 2002, co-written by Cathal Dervan and to be published in October.
Also expected to stoke the fires of controversy in early October will be Niall Quinn's autobiography, Head First, written by Irish Timesjournalist Tom Humphries.
But for now, all eyes are on Roy Keane who is scheduled to make public appearances in branches of Easons in Cork on September 5th, Dublin on September 6th, and Belfast on September 9th.
