Send in the clown for Dunphy error

He’s labelled Rio Ferdinand, Mario Balotelli, and Steve Staunton as clowns, but yesterday Eamon Dunphy became one himself.

Floppy hat, bow tie, and big red shoes to the fore, the journalist and broadcaster strolled up Grafton St in Dublin as part of his forfeit to bookmakers Betfair, following his — unfortunately incorrect — pre-tournament forecast that Ireland would qualify from their group at the European Championships.

“Well, it’s for charity,” he pointed out as his stroll came to an end at the corner of St Stephen’s Green. “You do the crime, you do the time.”