'Dunphy's a skinny rat, a skinny little rat'
Stephen Hunt has hit out at Eamon Dunphy after the commentator called Ireland's performance against Italy 'shameful'
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STEPHEN HUNT has branded Eamon Dunphy a "skinny little rat" after the TV pundit described Ireland's performance in Saturday's 2-2 draw with world champions Italy as "shameful".
Former Irish international Dunphy has angered Giovanni Trapattoni's dressing-room with a series of scathing observations despite the unbeaten World Cup campaign to date and Hunt last night spoke out to articulate their anger.
"The world champions came to town and despite what people say, we did ok," said the Hull winger. "There are a certain two or three people who say stuff and they just say it for the sake of saying it -- to be the bad cop.
"What's the point in that? To get a higher salary in RTE or wherever they come from? It's stupid.
"I'm talking about certain people who say it for the sake of it and it just doesn't make sense. Why say it? To earn bigger money or to be the man? Silly rat."
Hunt later mentioned Dunphy by name after adding that a few other pundits had managed to irk the squad with criticisms from afar.
"If I'm rubbish, say I'm rubbish. If I play ok, I'll tell you I played ok but don't say stuff for the sake of saying it. It's stupid," he blasted.
"People in the press write columns. I know one or two of them do it and they generally don't turn up here.
"That's the truth of it but they say things for the sake of it and you think, 'what are they doing? What are they trying to achieve? Sell more newspapers or get more viewers?' It's ridiculous.
"Where do they get their kicks from? Do you know what I mean? And especially Dunphy, he should know better by now. He's a skinny rat, a skinny little rat."
The 28-year-old was speaking in Malahide as Trapattoni's charges continued preparations for tomorrow night's concluding Group 8 qualifier with Montenegro at Croke Park.
Trapattoni is expected to name his team at lunchtime today, with Hunt in with a live chance of starting after being a substitute in the Italian encounter.
- Daniel McDonnell
Irish Independent
