Larry Ryan: An alternative view of the World Cup

RTÉ’S RATING WAR MASKS THE REAL ONE

Interest in the murderous atmosphere between Eamon Dunphy and Kenny Cunningham in the RTÉ studio has gone global, with sites such as 101greatgoals.com picking up the clip of the pair squabbling over John Terry. The dispute’s ratings potential hasn’t been lost on RTÉ either, which has been heavily promoting the exchange online, featuring a bemused and non-committal Didi Hamann stuck in the middle but making no attempt to referee.

Now the nation wants to know what’s eating the pair. RTÉ colleague Eoin McDevitt has remarked on the Breaking Bad vibe, tweeting: “Loving the Walter White/Jesse Pinkman on air relationship that has developed between Eamon Dunphy and Kenny Cunningham.” 2FM stablemate Paddy McKenna is also gripped: “The Kenny Cunningham face when Dunphy is talking. Magnificent.” And one station employee commented that “even at the World Cup launch event it was obvious there was something going on between them”.