{"id":139676,"date":"2025-11-14T15:48:29","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T15:48:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/139676\/"},"modified":"2025-11-14T15:48:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T15:48:29","slug":"eamon-dunphy-issues-apology-to-heimir-after-ireland-miracle-v-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/139676\/","title":{"rendered":"Eamon Dunphy Issues Apology To Heimir After Ireland Miracle v Portugal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson appears to have won over Eamon Dunphy after Thursday’s miraculous 2-0 win over Portugal in the Aviva Stadium.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Years ago, Ronaldo took the wrath of RT\u00c9 pundit Eamon Dunphy, who anointed the then-Manchester United star a “cod” for his petulant antics on the pitch (which resurfaced on Thursday).<\/p>\n

Another man who has taken the brunt of heavy criticism from Dunphy in recent weeks is Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson.<\/p>\n

“Maybe Hallgr\u00edmsson is a really, really good dentist,\u201d Dunphy wrote in his Daily Star column after last month’s dire performance in victory over Armenia.<\/p>\n

But he\u2019s a very, very poor football manager.<\/p>\n

After Thursday night’s result, the legendary voice on Irish football has changed his tune.<\/p>\n

READ HERE: Portugal Manager Bizarrely Blames Ireland Star For Cristiano Ronaldo Red Card<\/a><\/p>\n

READ HERE: Heimir Hallgrimsson Reveals What Cristiano Ronaldo Said During Confrontation<\/a><\/p>\n

Eamon Dunphy changes tune on Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson<\/p>\n

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 Hallgr\u00edmsson.<\/p>\n

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

“The first thing I want to do is apologise to Heimir Hallgrimsson – AKA The Dentist,” Dunphy wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I could not be happier to eat humble pie because what happened in the Aviva Stadium on Thursday night was incredible.<\/p>\n

Credit Hallgrimsson for his strategy, his belief in both himself and his team. They were brilliant.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve given him stick, and I don\u2019t take any of it back. Until now, the football has been timid, the selections odd.<\/p>\n

But against Portugal, he got everything right \u2014 from the shape to the spirit. It was brave management, not blind luck.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Before last night’s result, Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson was widely expected to depart the Ireland job after this camp, after what had thus far been a disappointing World Cup campaign.<\/p>\n

After turning over Portugal, there may be time left yet for the Icelandic coach.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Kick-off in Budapest on Sunday is at 2pm Irish time, with the game live on RT\u00c9 2.<\/p>\n

SEE ALSO: Seamus Coleman Shared Amazing Moment With Brady After Incredible Ireland Display<\/a><\/p>\n

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