I've taken it for years and years; "ah sure he's funny", but no more. Now I wouldn't be a fan of RTE's all round coverage of football but even while watching live on Sky or ITV (never TV3 mind) down the years I'd always flick back to listen to what Giles, Brady and the Dunph had to say about the nights fare.
While I have the utmost respect for the opinions of Johnny Giles, and Liam 'its a nonsense Bill...' Brady on all matters football, there's always been that grumpy little troll Dunphy, just itching to give his over the top, sensationalist take on the preceding proceedings.
It really took off in 1990 when he was scathing in his criticism of Jack Charltons Irish side during the World Cup, and has continued through two decades, having a pop at everyone he could. the likes of Graham Taylor, Terry Venables and Steve Staunton. "Spoofers" such as Hansen, Shearer and Lineker have been the source of Dunphy's ire. Jose Mourinho was labelled "poisonous", his once beloved Roy Keane got it in the Star last week.
But the one he really loves taking aim at, is the current "World's Best Player"...Cristiano Ronaldo. Those of you who know me know where my footballing allegiances lie. United are the team for me, as the chant goes, and I think the boy from Madeira is a fantastic footballer-not as good as Georgie (as Sir Bobby claims) but not too far off.
Eamo doesn't seem to agree however...he has labelled Ronaldo a 'brat', a 'cod', and a 'disgrace to football'. After the Champions League semi final last year he went to town on the kid, calling Ronaldo all the above names and more. He compared him unfavourably to Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and Ruby Walsh, how he doesn't have an ounce of what they have, how we're all blinded by the hype!
Tonight, after United's draw with Celtic, Dunphy decided to be wholly unoriginal and go to town on Ronaldo in the exact same way as before. Who did he compare him with tonight? Wait for it...Tiger, Harrington, Ruby-and a new one for good measure; Lewis Hamilton. My Christ Eamon, change the bloody record.
No doubt there'll be a damning indictement in the Star tommorrow morning-it might even get a mention on the front page. Not where this man belongs, not even close.
I sat in the press room in Croke Park after the Cyprus game, when a room full of his colleagues laughed at Dunphy's post match analysis...at you Eamon, not with you...give it a bloody rest would you? It's become a shambles
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment