Dunne: I’d welcome Irish duo to Villa

IF you’re Irish come into the parlour. Or, more precisely, if your name is Ireland or Keane there’s a welcome on the mat for you at Aston Villa.

That’s the word from Richard Dunne as he contemplates the possibility of both Stephen Ireland and Robbie Keane fetching up at Villa Park. Unsettled Ireland has just handed in a transfer request at Dunne’s former club Manchester City while Keane, although sounding determined to fight for his place at Spurs, could also be on the move, with the Birmingham club already floated as a possible destination for both players.

“Yeah, it would be great if Robbie came,” says Dunne, who says he’s spoken “once or twice” to the Irish captain about his situation. “A player we need is someone who can play in the hole and link midfield and the forward line. If Robbie came to us it would be great.”

And the enigmatic Mr Ireland? “He had a bit of a stop and start season last year, after the previous year when he was unbelievable,” says Dunne. “Stephen will say he wants to get more games and play more regularly, and if that’s not at City he’d be more than welcome at Villa. Everyone in the league knows how good he can be and he’d be a great addition to any squad.”

That Dunne himself has proved a great addition to Martin O’Neill’s squad was confirmed by his place in the Premier League team of the year but, despite being deemed surplus to requirements at Eastlands, the Dubliner insists this season was not about showing his old masters what they were missing.

“I didn’t have a point to prove to Man City,” he says. “I was there for nine years and really enjoyed it. But the club changed as a whole, they have a completely new team and my time there came to an end. I was out more to prove to the Aston Villa fans that I’d be a good signing.”

Of equal importance to Dunne is that Villa hold on to what they’ve already got but he accepts that it will be hard to retain the services of in-demand midfielder James Milner who has already attracted a bid from City.

“That’s the big thing. We want to progress as a club but there is always bigger clubs with more money, some of whom could offer him Champions League football. It will be difficult. If things don’t work out and James does have to leave, the manager has proven that he’s been really good in the transfer market and spent his money well.

“As much as we want to keep James, we know he’s a much sought after player and it might prove difficult.”

At least Dunne knows there won’t be a change in the managerial hotseat.

“It’s important for all the players (that O’ Neill is staying),” he says.

“The club needs a bit of stability and it helps to have a manager there consistently. We know what he’s about and we know what he wants.”

Dunne is sitting out this week’s Irish action as he allows his body to recuperate from the stresses and strains of the season. But he took time out yesterday to attend the launch of the FAI’s ‘Goal To Work Programme’ at the Sacred Heart Football Club in Killinarden, Tallaght – just two minutes up the road from where Dunne grew up.

(Later, we are informed, though not by the man himself, that he has donated his €1,000 fee as FAI Ambassador for Social Inclusion to the club).

The programme offers the long-term unemployed opportunities to learn the skills required to start their own coaching businesses or to become involved as volunteers, and also addresses the financial, social and psychological challenges associated with being out of work.

Says Dunne: “All around the country the recession has hit and people have lost their jobs so it’s an opportunity to get back working through football and helping kids as well. It’s an important project and gives people the chance to say ‘I have a job again’, to go out and work and be happy and get a wage. All my friends and family are here in Tallaght so I know how difficult it is for every family. It seems to be countrywide that people are losing jobs left, right and centre. Anyone who has a job now has to keep hold of it and be proud of it.”

And what might Richard Dunne have ended up doing if not for football? “God knows. I was working in a pub before I left to go to England so probably, hopefully, progressing to barman or something,” he smiles. “It was the Brittas Inn up the road, my Da was manager at the time. I did a few shifts as a lounge boy during Italia 90.

“I remember I spilled a tray of beer.”

Happily for Richard Dunne, his chosen profession means it’s been more thrills than spills ever since.