EAMON DUNPHY LAUNCHED a blistering attack on Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni last night.

The Italian played it safe when selecting his 24-man panel for the international friendly with the Czech Republic on 29 February.

And yesterday when asked by Bill O’Herlihy to discuss the Italian’s choices in the run-up to a Euro 2012 campaign this summer in Poland, Dunphy blasted Trap’s omission of the in-form Sunderland winger James McClean and (the injured) Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark.

“I think he has neglected his duty. I feel that he believes the system is more important than the players,” he said on RTÉ’s coverage of the Champions League action.

“He seems to forget that we’ve got World Cup qualifiers beginning in September and that these young players will be needed for the future of Irish soccer.

“I think there’s players in that squad who shouldn’t be in it. I’m very disappointed with the way he’s done his job, despite the fact that we’ve qualified for the European Championship finals, which was his first remit.

“So, I’m a dissident. I think he hasn’t been hands-on enough, he hasn’t seen enough games, he’s not in touch with what talent is available to him. [Wes] Hoolahan at Norwich has been outstanding for two years now, never got near the squad, should be in the squad in my view.

“It’s wrong, it’s wrong, it’s wrong.  I don’t care if he wins the European Championships. It’s wrong,” he added.

Ireland yesterday jumped three places in FIFA’s world rankings to now lie in 20th position.

Do you agree with Dunphy?

Ireland climb to 20th in FIFA world rankings

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Eamon Dunphy