Relive the action from Ireland’s 1-1 draw
Eamon Dunphy tore into Ireland’s midfield – and James McCarthy in particular – after the disappointing 1-1 draw with Scotland at the Aviva which left qualification for Euro 2016 a pipe dream for Martin O’Neill and his side.
Dunphy admitted that this was the best competitive performance of the O’Neill era, and reserved praise for players such as Wes Hoolahan, Robbie Brady, Daryl Murphy and Jeff Hendrick, but when talk turned to the centre of the park Eamon went toxic.
“I think Liam’s point is that we can’t go on with Glenn Whelan and James McCarthy,” he said.
“They’re paper players.
“McCarthy is just a talking horse. Horses who are supposed to do great things on the gallops every morning but never produce it on the racecourse.
“This guy never produces a real performance for Ireland and he rarely produces it for Everton. He’s just no good.
“He wasn’t in the game at all today. Look at the work and the ground Wes Hoolahan covered. There’s nothing from McCarthy. You just don’t see him. You don’t see Whelan. You can’t go into a game like this minus two players.”
