Compared to Saddam Hussein's beard by his former opponent Alf-Inge Haaland and a growing part of his personal trademark, we had started to get used to Roy Keane's bushy facial hair.

But the beard has definitely been shaved tonight.

We can confirm #RIPtheBeard! Roy has decided to shave the night before our first home qualifier! #makethematch pic.twitter.com/2BQQMI7zIM

— FAI (@FAIreland) October 10, 2014

But what spurred the Ireland assistant manager to separate himself from the beard?

Newstalk reporter Sinead O'Donnell may have planted the idea at the forefront of his mind yesterday...