Dunphy: If Giles leaves panel over Jewell conflict, I’d go too
How did Ireland against Wales, a clash between two teams playing out the final, sad act of equally calamitous campaigns in front of a half empty Millennium Stadium, in what was essentially a glorified friendly, acquire such a profound importance?
The answer, of course, was that it hadn’t. Eamo was referring to the real action, which was taking place off the field as Gilesy again explained that he felt duty-bound to sound out Paul Jewell about the manager’s job.
“I think Paul Jewell is an excellent candidate and I thought it was right to make contact with him and put the case for the Irish job to him. I’d do it again and I’ve no regrets,” insisted Gilesy before rocking the Irish football world to its very foundations by saying he would break up the Montrose three if he, or his employers, felt his liaison with Jewell compromised his media role. “If it does come to a stage where I feel or more importantly my employers feel that it’s a conflict of interest for me to do this job I would withdraw from the panel,” he said sombrely.
Showing commendable solidarity, Eamo vowed that if Gilesy went, he’d follow. “If he withdraws from the panel I’d withdraw from the panel,” he said. Strong stuff. Viewers were suddenly confronted with the prospect of watching an Ireland match without the presence of this classic double act.
Eamo then issued a defence of his longtime colleague. “It’s a ridiculous idea that in any way John is conflicted. If John Delaney is going to employ people of John’s calibre — and there aren’t too many of them in the world — then that’s progress.
“It (meeting Jewell) doesn’t conflict with what John said on this programme because what he said was he wouldn’t want to be one of those making the appointment. He’s not making the appointment,” he pointed out before adding, “what he is doing — and it’s an important sea change in Irish soccer — is this time they’re trying to get all the best candidates and instead of looking at the unemployed and the unemployable and the insane (that rules out Gerard Houllier and Phillipe Troussier then) they’re actually looking for people who might be in work, head-hunting the best and that’s a huge change.”
Liamo was in fulsome agreement with Eamo’s assessment. “Jewell ticks all the boxes. If he’s a candidate then well done John,” he said before adding that he wasn’t involved in the process of hiring a new boss, or getting involved in the process. To which Eamo replied emphatically, “I will” as the studio was filled with howls of laughter.
Next on the agenda was Aidan McGeady, and Don Givens’ description of him as the ‘new Ronaldo’, a statement that drew caustic smiles from the three wise men. “I wouldn’t compare him to anyone at the moment,” said Giles, before Eamo quickly added, “one Ronaldo’s enough”.
At half time, and with the teams level at 1-1, Eamo called for the introduction of Hunt in place of the ineffective Miller. Liamo agreed, as did Jim Beglin. Fifteen minutes later they got their wish and within seconds Hunt’s stunning cross found Doyle who put Ireland in front.
“I did call the substitution,” Beglin reminded us quickly before quickly adding that it was a Dunphy masterstroke, “but Eamon did mention that at half-time so I don’t take sole credit for that. It was pretty obvious that was the substitution that had to be made.”
“I can see what’s happening here,” interjected George Hamilton, “Eamon Dunphy for manager and Jim Beglin for coach.”
“I would love to see Eamon in the job,” replied Beglin.
Afterwards the Dunph smiled: “This squad of players needs to be organised and motivated by a real good coach and they’ll be a force.
“I think we’ll qualify for the World Cup in 2010. Otherwise, unless I get the job myself, I’ll give up this game. My application is going in on Monday.”
Maybe Gilesy won’t be looking too far for the next man to sound out.
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