Dunphy, Giles and Italian job that nearly was

THEY’LL talk the talk with Bill O’Herlihy on Saturday night, but John Giles and Eamon Dunphy walked the walk for Ireland the last time Italy played for points in Dublin.

Giles captained the Republic from central midfield. To his right, Dunphy created Jimmy Conway’s goal with a well-flighted free-kick.

“We should have won that match,” recalled Paddy Mulligan, whose memories of a landmark encounter are clear and detailed, even after 38 years. “We just didn’t take our chances.”