Dunphy clarifies ‘shameful’ comment

Video

• John Giles, Graeme Souness and Eamon Dunphy give their reaction to the Republic of Ireland's draw with Italy at Croke Park.

Audio

• Eamon Dunphy clarifies his use of the word 'shameful' in his post-match analysis of the Republic of Ireland's draw with Italy

RTÉ football pundit Eamon Dunphy has clarified remarks he made following the Republic of Ireland’s draw with Italy last weekend.

A disgruntled Dunphy had used the word ‘shameful’ in his <notforsyndication>post-match analysis on RTÉ</notforsyndication>, and Republic of Ireland international Stephen Hunt, when questioned about Dunphy’s comments, labelled the pundit ‘a skinny little rat’.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport’s Darren Frehill on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Dunphy offered a further explanation of his comments.

<notforsyndication>Listen to Eamon Dunphy's Interview Here</notforsyndication>

‘One word was taken out of a 20-minute conversation – the word "shameful". It’s not an appropriate word to use for the performance (against Italy); what I was referring to was Andy Reid’s omission from the squad,’ said Dunphy.

‘I did use it [the word "shameful"]; it was not the right word to use for the performance. It would be appropriate, I think, to what’s happening to Andy Reid.

‘We have to remember all players love playing for their country and he must be very hurt and professionally isolated at the moment. He’s playing very well for Sunderland and should be in the Irish squad.’

Dunphy continued: ‘I think we played very poorly for at least an hour-and-a-quarter of the game. They didn’t pass the ball well. Italy controlled the football.

'What was depressing about it was that there doesn’t seem to be any attempt by the Irish team when they have the ball to play football and to pass the ball the way you should do at international level.

‘I would say the word "shameful" in the context I used on Saturday was wrong. I’ve no problem admitting that.’

In reference to Hunt’s comments about him being ‘a skinny little rat’, Dunphy quipped: ‘Stephen Hunt’s not exactly Mr Universe himself!’