Eamon Dunphy has left RTE after 40 years with the broadcasters.
Dunphy announced his decision on Wednesday afternoon and said that he had informed RTE two years ago that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract. The 72-year-old said his main focus will now be on his podcast, The Stand.
“Two years ago, I decided not to renew my contract with RTÉ Sport,” he tweeted.
“At the time, they prevailed upon me to stay and, in fact, offered me a rise, a small one, to do so. However, before the World Cup I told them this time, I would be leaving. I intend to focus on my podcast The Stand which is flourishing and has had over 2.3 million listens since we started. That’s where my energy will now be devoted. In my 40 years with RTÉ, I made many good friends and I wish them the very best for the future.”
End of an era https://t.co/HINLLXYPfK
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 25, 2018
Dunphy was an apprentice with Manchester United and spent most of his playing career with Millwall. He made 23 appearances for the Republic of Ireland. Following his retirement from professional football, Dunphy became a journalist and an author. His was the ghostwriter for Roy Keane’s first autobiography, wrote a book on Irish band U2 and a biography of Matt Busby.
Along with John Giles, Liam Brady and the late Bill O’Herlihy, Dunphy was a staple of RTE’s football’s coverage for years. Former presenter O’Herlihy retired after the 2014 World Cup and sadly passed away a year later. Giles’ last appearance on RTE was the Euro 2016 final and Dunphy’s final broadcast for the station was the World Cup final. Brady is the only remaining member of the famous panel.
Dunphy had some great TV moments, this was one of his best. pic.twitter.com/KKccIAPHTu
— Robert Redmond (@RobRedmond10) July 25, 2018
He wasn’t universally popular with viewers, but Dunphy’s departure marks the end of an era for Irish football broadcasting. There are fans in their 40s now who don’t remember football on RTE before Dunphy.
His departure provoked a strong reaction from football fans. Like with the pundit himself, opinion is divided. Some are glad to see the back of him, others will miss him.
Nothing will beat the days of Bill O’Herlihy, John Giles, Liam Brady & Eamon Dunphy on RTE. It’s mad that Liam is the only one left on the panel.
— Conor (@KoloTourbae) July 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/vinfox/status/1022109558066561025
Thanks for the memories baby. #eamondunphy
— Adrian Eames (@AdrianEames1) July 25, 2018
Podge or Rodge or both to replace #EamonDunphy ? Their analysis would be much of a muchness to his
— Tweetledumb (@CharlieLurks) July 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/AodhBC/status/1022110947459121152
Eamon Dunphy is a national treasure
— david sweeney 🦐 (@sweenbean__) July 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/gerconnolly/status/1022116837981597697
Dunphy was never afraid to call it and was often too eager to make a big call. This was the case until his final appearances on RTE.
He completely bought into the England hype. He praised the country’s “tolerance” and National Health Service before the Sweden quarter-final and seemed incapable of separating the country from the team.
England provided Dunphy with a livelihood as a footballer in his youth and the country may have the NHS, but they also had Jordan Henderson in midfield.
Eamon Dunphy, June 24:
"You're never too far from a train-wreck with England"
Eamon Dunphy, July 3:
"Football is coming home, baby"#WorldCup #ENGCOL
— Robert Redmond (@RobRedmond10) July 3, 2018
Before England’s semi-final against Croatia at the World Cup, he predicted that England would win and go onto the final. He referenced their “character” and praised Gareth Southgate. Two hours later he said England got “what they deserved” after they were outplayed. He often let emotions and sentiment cloud his thinking and his opinions would flip-flop, but it made for entertaining television at times.
Dunphy’s been great value over the years in the studio. He was never afraid to voice an opinion or row back on one he made earlier, and that made for a refreshing break from the punditry offered across the water. The RTE panel were often more entertaining than the match itself. O’Herily would deliberately go to Dunphy first with a question, which would spark a reaction from Brady before Giles had his say and provided the voice of reason. No matter who succeeds them, RTE will never find that chemistry again.
It’s been easy to dismiss him, but Dunphy carved out a career in the extremely tough and precarious world of professional football and made a successful career change to journalism. His diary of a season at Millwall, Only a Game, is still one of the best books about football ever published.
The second volume of his autobiography is due to be called, “Wrong About Everything” and it wasn’t his job to be right all the time. He knew that and he certainly excelled at it. But Dunphy was never boring as a pundit and he’ll be missed, even if it probably is the right time to make a change.
