RTÉ Soccer analyst Eamon Dunphy has slammed Martin O’Neill’s reaction to a question about Ireland’s performance in their Euro 2016 qualifier win over Georgia, saying O’Neill needs to “grow up”.
O’Neill reacted strongly to a suggestion by RTÉ Soccer Correspondent Tony O’Donoghue that Ireland’s 2-1 win, courtesy of a late Aiden McGeady goal, masked a disjointed performance.
"We’re playing away from home today; it’s the first game," O'Neill said. "We've won away from home. I think you, even you should be delighted that we've won the game."
When O’Donoghue told O'Neill he was thrilled with the result, the Ireland manager replied: "Well you should show it."
Although O’Neill went on to agree that Ireland could improve upon the performance, he reiterated that “it was a great win for us, you know.
"I know you don’t seem all that pleased about it; [it’s] not like you, Tony, to always pick a negative of anything. But [I'm] delighted, it’s three points away from home, and I couldn't be more pleased."
Speaking on Monday, Dunphy said the reaction was “completely out of order”.
"[Roy] Keane and O’Neill are getting €1.3m between them to do this job, which involves about 10 games a year, and they haven’t got the grace to stop sniping," Dunphy said.
“These guys would want to wake up and realise how fortunate they are" - Eamon Dunphy
"They've been universally welcomed by the media, and yet the sniping goes on, and this sort of paranoia."
Dunphy also made mention of a press conference over the weekend where, he said, after being provoked by print journalists, O’Neill “wasn’t very gracious” in his replies. He contrasted the approach with that of the figures within the GAA.
“These guys would want to wake up and realise how fortunate they are to have the support of the media, actually, some wonderful players to work with, and look down to Croke Park and the amateur game, and see how the people there behave, and don’t throw tantrums, and have a bit of understanding for professional journalists who have to do their work.
“It disappoints me because, in Martin O’Neill’s case, I have the highest regard for him, but he just should grow up.”
