Almost Dunne

WITH everyone already thinking about the wonderful things which an east European summer might have in store, it’s the question that almost dares not speak its name.

Not because it’s taboo but because it’s virtually unthinkable. But, what the hell, we’ll ask Richard Dunne anyway: what if Estonia threaten to rain on the Irish parade tonight? What if, let’s say, they get an early goal and then another just before the break?

Richard Dunne doesn’t guffaw or even raise an eyebrow, let alone a smile.

“That’s the thing,” he says, as if it’s not the first time the nightmare scenario has crossed his mind. “We went into the first game and our belief was that it was the one thing we’d do: that they weren’t going to score, that we’d defend for our lives and it’s the same tonight.

“We’re not taking it lightly. We’re not going to be walking out complacent and letting them score one and then trying to hang on. We’re going out to win the game. That’s why the professionalism still has to be there and the aggression to win the game. It’s not about trying to see it through or enjoying an easy game.

“Of course, we’d like it to be a show but the big problem with that will be Estonia. I think the manager has already said that they’re a wounded side coming over. They’re a proud country who aren’t going to lie down and be beaten easily. The show can come later on. The performance has to be about attitude and professionalism.

“But it’s definitely going to be harder than it was on Friday night. They’ll have 11 men, you’ve always got to take into account the referee and it could be us having people sent off. I’m sure there will be nerves too because, even though we all believe we’ve qualified — every fan and every reporter believes we’re going to go to the Euros — but until it’s confirmed we won’t be taking it easy. And until that final whistle, it won’t be real.”

The game plan therefore will be simple and direct.

“If we can get a goal early and if we can put in a performance,” says Dunne, “then everyone will be relaxed hopefully and the party atmosphere will be there and there’ll be a full house and everyone can enjoy the night. But, like us in Paris a couple of years ago, they’ve nothing to lose so they can come and fly at us and give everything. It doesn’t matter to them, really, if we score. If they can get the first goal that’s all they want but if we score first, it will kill the game off.”

Coming from famous Dublin football stock, Dunne has long had a keen appreciation of the significance of big tournament qualification for Irish football, reaching all the way back to the country’s first appearance at the Euros in 1988 when the kid from Tallaght was just eight years old.

“I remember it just as a family all sitting around and watching it, and every family on the road doing the same,” he recalls. “It was a new experience for all our parents, for everyone in the country and everyone enjoyed the whole thing. I might have gone into the mini-leagues after that, I think, and that’s the thing — it captured the imagination of the whole country. There wasn’t a kid in the streets that wasn’t playing football and wanting an Ireland jersey, and wanting to be Paul McGrath or Ray Houghton or whoever. But it’s been a long time now, so it would be great if we can inspire the next generation of kids to come through and play football too.”

Dunne, of course, has already inspired one of his own heroes, the defender’s extraordinary performance in that vital scoreless draw in Moscow having prompted a glowing and generous tweet from Big Paul himself.

Dunne says he subsequently got a chance to thank McGrath in person at an Aston Villa game.

“Yeah it was really good, a really nice one,” Dunne smiles, but adds, “he’s done it in bigger tournaments than I have.”

Now, at the age of 32, Dunne is on the verge of making his own debut at a big tournament, having been an unused sub at the World Cup finals in 2002. And, for him, the much talked about money pot on offer for qualification is nothing more than a side issue.

“We all make enough money at our clubs and playing for Ireland is an honour, it’s not about money,” says the Aston Villa man.

“I think the whole country will benefit from this. The main thing is having the pride of going out and playing in the finals, that’s all that matters to the players. To go and represent Ireland in that is going to be something that money can’t buy.”