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Dunphy (file photo). ©INPHO/James Crombie

Dunphy backs Ireland for Euro 2016 qualification if O'Neill and Keane 'do their stuff'

A result against Germany is possible, according to the RTÉ pundit.

RTÉ PUNDIT EAMON Dunphy is optimistic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualification chances.

Sunday’s draw saw the Boys in Green pitted against Germany, Poland, Scotland, Georgia and Gibraltar in what is being widely-regarded as a difficult group with the top teams progressing to the finals in France and all but one third-placed side facing off in a two-legged play-off.

Under Giovanni Trapattoni, Ireland were humiliated by the Germans in a 6-1 defeat when they last visited Dublin in October 2012 but Dunphy believes they have nothing to fear now management team Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane are in charge.

“I don’t believe victory over Germany is impossible,” Dunphy said on RTÉ  2FM’s Game On last night.

“They’re so good that Sweden went there and drew 4-4 and then scored three goals against them in Stockholm. So they conceded seven goals to a poor Sweden team.

“The Germans have a good side but they have actually underachieved for all the talk that there has been. They have had flashes of brilliance but if you’re side is well organised, you’re fighting and if you’ve got a bit of quality you can get results from Germany — home and away.

I don’t think Martin O’Neill or Roy Keane are the kind of people who will send Ireland out with a defeatist attitude like Trapattoni did.

“In the worst case scenario, Germany beat us perhaps away, we get a draw at home. But we play what’s essentially a three-nation tournament for second place – Scotland, Poland and the Republic of Ireland.

“I don’t think that (qualification) is an impossible task, in fact I think it could easily be done if we’re doing our stuff.

“If they get the team playing as well as we can, I think we will be better than Scotland and better than Poland.”

Listen to the full Game On interview here

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8 Comments
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    Mute Birch Barlow
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    Feb 25th 2014, 8:21 AM

    I’m giving it 12 months before he says the managers don’t know what they’re doing.

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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Feb 25th 2014, 8:47 AM

    I’d say its in his work contracts to do so.

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    Mute Joe Mahon
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    Feb 25th 2014, 11:05 AM

    Worst case scenario we draw at home with Germany.. Yeah coz last time we played them at home they hit us for six.

    What a clown, baby

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    Mute Marcas Ó Callanáin
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    Feb 25th 2014, 8:40 AM

    “In the worst case scenario, Germany beat us perhaps away, but we get a draw at home”

    Fairly sure I can think of a worse scenario…

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    Mute Pól McM
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    Feb 25th 2014, 11:07 AM

    It’s almost as if he’s building them up to knock them down. That’s not like our Eamon though.

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    Mute Gerry Gilroy
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    Feb 25th 2014, 10:01 AM

    Does this guy use a scrambler to keep up with the hare and the hound? Plus he’s from the Harry Redknapp school of the feckin obvious.

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    Mute Frank Dowling
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    Feb 25th 2014, 8:47 AM

    Oh yeah.. a result is possible baby.. how about 3-0 Germany? .. dunphyisdeluded.com

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    Mute Shane Kearney
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    Feb 25th 2014, 5:15 PM

    He is right. Are Germany a better team than Ireland? Yes, no doubt. But on our day, if luck goes our way we could get one or two points off them.

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