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<\/p>\n“They know there’s an opportunity to play a game. They don’t have anything against the Israel players or whatever like that.”<\/p>\n
UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifier, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia 6\/9\/2011, Russia vs Republic of Ireland
\nIreland’s Richard Dunne with the number 5 written on his jersey(Image: \u00a9INPHO\/Donall Farmer)<\/p>\n
Richard Dunne believes it is unfair to call on the Ireland football team to make decisions regarding whether or not to play Israel in the Nations League.<\/p>\n
Dunne says the players should not be put on the political spot ahead of the first game in Debrecen (Sept 27) or the ‘home’ game in Backa Topola, Serbia (Oct 4).<\/p>\n
“The only thing I would say is that I just hope there’s a decision made where it doesn’t come down to somebody asking the players, ‘Do they want to play or not?'”I think that would be very unfair for players because footballers aren’t involved in that, they are basically kids who want to play football, it’s like, ‘I want to play whatever’s going on outside’.”Some of the senior ones might have an opinion on it but I think the younger ones just want to play and be involved and stuff like that.”So I just hope that it doesn’t come down to the players being (put on the spot)\u2026”.Footballers’ natural instinct is to want to play, to want to win, bank pool stage points – board level decisions should be made at board level.”It’s really difficult because, it’s stupid, but there are points involved.”So from the footballers’ brain’s point of view, that’s what they’re looking at.”They know there’s an opportunity to play a game. They don’t have anything against the Israel players or whatever like that.”And it’s just something that the FAI should deal with long before – they should have dealt with a long time ago.”But hopefully, they still will before it actually comes around.”<\/p>\n
Dunne was in Dublin and back to his schoolboy soccer roots, aligning with Home Farm DCU ahead of the inaugural FAI National League season and to share his Irish football upbringing with the brightest talent in Ireland and France.<\/p>\n
As part of his collaboration with Home Farm DCU, Dunne is now lending his support and expertise to ,manager Gavin Peers as the club looks to return to the League of Ireland via the introduction of the third tier of the LOI and the new pyramid system for Irish football.<\/p>\n
The Dubliner will also send one of the brightest prospects from his Monaco based FMC Elite Football Academy to Whitehall as part of a new association between his schoolboy club and the former Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa, QPR and Ireland defender.<\/p>\n
Dunne joins the Home Farm DCU family alongside global ambassador Ronnie Whelan and newly appointed Chief Football Officer Paul Whelan as the club offers the best young talent a pathway to League of Ireland football, combined with top class education opportunities via DCU.<\/p>\n
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UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifier, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia 6\/9\/2011, Russia vs Republic of Ireland
\nIreland’s Richard Dunne with the number 5 written on his jersey(Image: \u00a9INPHO\/Donall Farmer)<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Home Farm DCU project is one of the most exciting additions to the Irish football landscape for many, many years and I am delighted to be a part of it,\u201d said Dunne at a media event at the club\u2019s Whitehall base.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy football education was all with Home Farm before I moved to Everton as a 16-year-old and I am so happy to return and to be able to offer my support to a project that offers young players access to top level football and Third Level education.<\/p>\n
\u201cGavin and the club officials have shared their vision ahead of the new season with me and am happy to help in any way I can as we work together to get Home Farm DCU into League of Ireland football. This club belongs at the top of the Irish football pyramid and it is great to see a sleeping giant come back to life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work with some of the best young players in France at my academy in Monaco and the opportunity for one of those players to come to Dublin to play and learn with Home Farm DCU will be invaluable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Welcoming Richard Dunne back to Whitehall Stadium, Home Farm DCU manager Gavin Peers said: \u201cRichard is one of many Irish internationals who began his football journey with Home Farm and his outstanding career is a testimony to the club\u2019s history. To have him come on board with Home Farm DCU ahead of the new season is a major boost and I am really looking forward to working with Richard.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was also a small ‘skit’ where Irish legend Dunne re-enacted his Moscow jersey experience alongside former Ireland kitman Dick Redmond and Home Farm DCU\u2019s equipment manager Pat Hoban.<\/p>\n
Famously, Dunne had to wear a ‘replacement. white Ireland jersey with the no5 written in marker on the back after he crashed onto the pitch-side running track at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow during a Euro 2012 qualifier.<\/p>\n
The inking of the shirt was re-enacted yesterday by Hoban and Redmond as they presented Dunne with a Home Farm DCU jersey.<\/p>\n