Updated at 13.33
EAMON DUNPHY HAS criticised Ireland boss Martin O’Neill’s conduct after he was involved in a tetchy post-match interview with RTÉ reporter Tony O’Donoghue on Sunday night.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Game On, Dunphy told the veteran coach to conduct interviews “like a man rather than a child”.
“What worries me is the capriciousness of the coach,” he said. “If I compare him to (Brian) Cody, if I compare him to (Joe) Schmidt, this guy is not up to it.
“His behaviour with (RTÉ reporter) Tony O’Donoghue, I don’t like that. It’s not the first time he’s attacked Tony.”
The former Ireland international also rejected James McClean’s recent claim that media expectations were unrealistic.
“Do you know anyone who’s saying we should be wiping the floor with teams?
Nobody’s suggesting we should be wiping the floor with people. All people are asking is that he picks a sensible team, you don’t hold grudges against particular players and that you conduct your press conferences like a man rather than a child.
“You don’t improve anything by turning a blind eye, by stopping analysis, by stopping people talking about James — that’s what football is.
Martin O’Neill’s on an estimated €1million a year, so a little bit of analysis from fans and people who love the game shouldn’t be causing him that trouble.”
Dunphy also criticised the centre-back partnership of Ciaran Clark and Shane Duffy, saying that it “doesn’t work” and lamenting the absence of the more experienced John O’Shea, while also calling for Wes Hoolahan to get a more regular role in the side.
If we start with the same centre halves we started with last night and without Wes Hoolahan, we aren’t going to go to the World Cup.
“We had a player who’d probably get into the England team. I saw England as well (against Malta), I saw France play Bulgaria, I was watching football all weekend, and there are very few players if any better than Wes Hoolahan.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
