Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson appears to have won over Eamon Dunphy after Thursday’s miraculous 2-0 win over Portugal in the Aviva Stadium.

The start to this World Cup qualifying campaign was mixed at best nearing on disastrous, with a 1-0 defeat in Armenia seemingly putting paid to Ireland’s hopes of reaching North America.

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Entering the final qualifying double-header a point behind second-placed Hungary meant Ireland would need a big result against the might of Portugal to head to Budapest on Sunday with anything to play for.

They would pull it out of the bag in spectacular fashion, with a Troy Parrott double delivering one of Ireland’s most famous wins – with a little helping hand from the red-carded Cristiano Ronaldo.

Years ago, Ronaldo took the wrath of RTÉ pundit Eamon Dunphy, who anointed the then-Manchester United star a “cod” for his petulant antics on the pitch (which resurfaced on Thursday).

Another man who has taken the brunt of heavy criticism from Dunphy in recent weeks is Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson.

“Maybe Hallgrímsson is a really, really good dentist,” Dunphy wrote in his Daily Star column after last month’s dire performance in victory over Armenia.

But he’s a very, very poor football manager.

After Thursday night’s result, the legendary voice on Irish football has changed his tune.

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Eamon Dunphy changes tune on Heimir Hallgrímsson

Eamon Dunphy reacted to Ireland v Portugal in his Daily Star column, and his first port of call was to offer an apology to Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson.

Though Dunphy did not retract his previous criticism, he said he was delighted to “eat humble pie” after Thursday’s epic result.

“The first thing I want to do is apologise to Heimir Hallgrimsson – AKA The Dentist,” Dunphy wrote.

I could not be happier to eat humble pie because what happened in the Aviva Stadium on Thursday night was incredible.

Credit Hallgrimsson for his strategy, his belief in both himself and his team. They were brilliant.

I’ve given him stick, and I don’t take any of it back. Until now, the football has been timid, the selections odd.

But against Portugal, he got everything right — from the shape to the spirit. It was brave management, not blind luck.

Dunphy would close by wishing the team the best of luck in Budapest on Sunday, in what is now a simple one-off shot at a World Cup playoff.

Before last night’s result, Heimir Hallgrímsson was widely expected to depart the Ireland job after this camp, after what had thus far been a disappointing World Cup campaign.

After turning over Portugal, there may be time left yet for the Icelandic coach.

There most certainly will be should Ireland pull off another famous win on Sunday afternoon – the only result that will see them secure a place in the playoff tournament for next summer’s World Cup.

Kick-off in Budapest on Sunday is at 2pm Irish time, with the game live on RTÉ 2.

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