羅伊·基恩（Roy Keane），1971年生於愛爾蘭科剋市。在科布漫步者足球俱樂部（Cobh Ramblers）開始瞭自己的職業生涯，18歲時被布萊恩·剋拉夫（Brian Clough）招入諾丁漢森林隊（Nottingham Forest）。22歲轉會曼徹斯特聯隊，職業生涯的黃金時期在曼聯度過，作為曼聯史上最偉大的隊長之一，帶領曼聯取得瞭包括1999年三冠王在內的多項榮譽。羅伊·基恩攻守兼備，作風硬朗，是英超20年最具統治力的中場。

羅迪·多伊爾（Roddy Doyle），1958年生於愛爾蘭首都都柏林，並在此居住至今。多伊爾著有《追夢者》（The Commitments），《嘮叨人生》（The Snapper），《貨車》(The Van)，以及《膽量》（The Guts）等十部廣受贊譽的小說作品。1991年，多伊爾的小說作品《貨車》入圍瞭布剋奬（Booker Prize）的決賽作品。1993年，道伊爾終於憑藉作品《帕迪·剋拉剋，哈哈哈》（Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha）贏得瞭布剋奬桂冠。

In an eighteen-year playing career for Cobh Ramblers, Nottingham Forest (under Brian Clough), Manchester United (under Sir Alex Ferguson) and Celtic, Roy Keane dominated every midfield he led to glory. Aggressive and highly competitive, his attitude helped him to excel as captain of Manchester United from 1997 until his departure in 2005. Playing at an international level for nearly all his career, he represented the Republic of Ireland for over fourteen years, mainly as team captain, until an incident with national coach Mick McCarthy resulted in Keane's walk-out from the 2002 World Cup. Since retiring as a player, Keane has managed Sunderland and Ipswich and has become a highly respected television pundit.

As part of a tiny elite of football players, Roy Keane has had a life like no other. His status as one of football's greatest stars is undisputed, but what of the challenges beyond the pitch? How did he succeed in coming to terms with life as a former Manchester United and Ireland leader and champion, reinventing himself as a manager and then a broadcaster, and cope with the psychological struggles this entailed?

In a stunning collaboration with Booker Prize-winning author Roddy Doyle, THE SECOND HALF blends anecdote and reflection in Roy Keane's inimitable voice. The result is an unforgettable personal odyssey which fearlessly challenges the meaning of success.