IRELAND MANAGER MARTIN O’Neill failed to escape criticism from the RTÉ panel this evening, despite an improved second-half performance ensuring all three points against Georgia.
After the match, Eamon Dunphy claimed Ireland must improve if they are to stand any chance of qualifying for the World Cup.
“We lacked that bit of poise, that bit of subtlety and guile that you need to sense and sniff out ‘this isn’t working, we need to change what we’re doing’. That’s what we failed to do in the first half,” Dunphy said.
“Whatever was said at half-time, it was a little better when we didn’t have the ball, we pressurised and made it a little more difficult for them. But that’s not where the bar should be.”
Dunphy also cited the recent displays from League of Ireland champions Dundalk in Europe, to compare the differences in outlook between O’Neill and Lilywhites manager Stephen Kenny.
“They (Dundalk) are absolutely superb.They came here, they played Legia Warsaw, they were robbed with a penalty.
“They were great, they passed the ball home and away. They play football, great football. Nobody looks afraid, they look confident on the ball.
“That is induced by having a good coach who encourages players to do what really is the sensible thing,” Dunphy continued.
“Ireland could play like that. They could mix it up. You don’t have to accept this agricultural stuff that is being offered up.
“Maybe we should get Stephen Kenny to manage the Irish team.”
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There should at least be 1 or 2 Dundalk players called in. Irrespective of that, tonight was awful and most people in the stadium were mortified at half time at how bad it was and how far we sat back off them!! That comes down to MON Im sorry
Alright it was one of the worst performances in a long long while, but we got the 3 points. Most of the people slating the team here are probably the same people praising them for their performances at the Euros bar the Belgian game, typical Irish fans. Imagine if we lost ffs, after playing Serbia away and Georgia at home in the 1st two games everyone of Ye would have bit the hand off 4 points! Stay positive ffs.
Easy there tiger. It’s easy to look good for a once off match
Who’s that comment for? Who was talking about looking good for a once off game? What game are you talking about haha
Just referring to the notion that Dundalk players are better than the Ireland team because they are not.
Aye because it was just the one game that they played well?
Dundalk have been good to watch in almost all of their European games, against BATE, AZ and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Not quite “once off”.
dundalk a delight to watch in contrast to Ireland. hard to argue Georgia are a better team than the teams in dundalks europa group. very noticeable that every dundalk player always has team mates to pass to wherever they are on the pitch. Ireland hoof it almost every time. was at the tel aviv match and noticed dundalk lost the ball on the few occasions the goalkeeper kicked it long. by keeping possession for long periods they prevent the opposition doing any damage. Ireland can’t or won’t do that…
Can anyone name an Irish manager Dunphy hasn’t talked utter crap about?
John giles
Thats a bit sensationalist from dunphy. He should just go home and have a cup of tea
Comment of the week
Dunphy is a clown, I don’t watch football on rte anymore because of his rubbish. And surprise surprise He wants o Neill to be replaced it didn’t take long
@Eamonn coughlan: If you’re going to look up articles to see what he’s said and then give out about it anyway, there’s probably not much point in boycotting RTE.
@Eamonn coughlan: He’s right though, this is 2016 not 1916, a possession game is a must embarrassing to think that we only had 45% of it tonight at home
I would argue the opposite…. look at everton under martinez
Cowardly tactics from O’Neill along with players that are afraid to get on the ball. Can’t even work a throw in for feck sake. Performances all stem from the training pitch. Obviously keeping possession and creative play aren’t the focus in training.
Yet all the fans let them off the hook at half time and applaud them off….. Makes the self appointed “best fans in the world” complicit in this sh”te. More interested in pretending to be Iceland ffs
I was at the match Liam and not one fan I could see applauded them off the pitch. Get your facts right before you start spouting rubbish
Well said Liam Dunne! Ireland are better than this crap. But that’s what you get when the FAI actively seek out safety first, has been OAP’s for the managerial position. Not to mention the patronising bully style response when he’s asked awkward questions about performances and tactics.
Just seen that O’Neill had two keepers, 4 center backs, cristie whealan, Meyler, O’kane, Johnny Hayes, hoolanhan on the bench. No sub striker what’s that all about.
We haven’t got much up top to be honest
That’s irrelevant. If we went one down I’d rather see Adam Rooney or cillan Sheridan on the bench then two keepers and four center backs
He’s earned the right to be our next manager. Lots of countries have done well with home grown mangers
Yeah. Brian Kerr was a phenomenal success.
Brian’s win loss ratio has been the best of the last 25 years
Brian Kerr was the victim of politics, kicked out because he was Fran Rooneys man. Delaney took over by bragging about getting us a top-class manager. Fact is Brian Kerrs one full campaign, for Germany 06, went the same way as Trapatonis first campaign yet Trap got two more chances.
So mr dunphy has taken a sudden interest in the league of Ireland He was bitter for years when the rovers project fell through and referred to it as the chicken league. Damascus is a dangerous place these days Eamonn
So mr dunphy has taken a sudden interest in the league of Ireland he was bitter for years when his rovers project fell through Damascus is a dangerous place these days Eamonn
So dunphy has a sudden interest in the league of Ireland He was bitter for years when his rovers project fell through and called it the chicken league. Damascus is a dangerous place these days Eamonn
So mr dunphy has taken a sudden interest in the league of Ireland He was bitter for years when the rovers project fell through and used to refer to it as the chicken league Damascus is a dangerous place these days Eamonn
Bit repetitive there Michael but you make a valid point. Hands off Stephen Kenny FAI he’s got more important matters on his plate.
Im deleting this app . This is the laziest piece of shit I’ve seen in a long time
1st time Aula eamo was On the ball in a long time . he must be doing sober october
Im deleting this app. This is the laziest piece of shit ive seen in a long time
Just stop talkin shite Eamon