Eamon Dunphy’s early life in Dublin, was far from glamorous. He grew up in a one-room tenement flat, a world away from the wealth and privilege of the soccer players he would later rub shoulders with.
PART ONE
Football was his way out, and as a teenager, Eamon Dunphy secured an apprenticeship at Manchester United, then under the watchful eye of manager Matt Busby. However, unlike some of his peers, Dunphy´s path would not lead to stardom at Old Trafford. The Dubliner struggled to break into the first team, and in search of regular football, he eventually signed with York City, who were then managed by Tom Lockie.
This marked the beginning of a nomadic playing career, but it was at Millwall Football Club where Dunphy found a home. Joining the South East Londoners for a transfer fee of £8,000 in 1965, he would become a key figure in the talented side that came agonisingly close to reaching the top flight of English soccer.
In contrast to his earlier struggles at Manchester United, where he found first-team opportunities non-existent, Dunphy flourished at Millwall, his performances earning him the admiration of the club’s supporters. During his nine years with the Lions, he was at the core of a team that flirted with the top flight, coming agonisingly close in the 1971-72 campaign when Millwall finished just one point shy of promotion to the First Division. That team, forever remembered as the “Class of ’71,” boasted a blend of aggressive and hard-nosed defenders like Barry Kitchener and Harry Cripps, alongside the creative spark provided by Dunphy himself.
As a result, he became not just a fixture in the Millwall squad but also a leader, his influence extending beyond his passing range and into the dressing room. Correspondingly, his partnership with the likes of Derek Possee in attack and the imposing figures of Kitchener and Cripps at the back made Millwall a formidable team in Division Two. Yet, despite their collective efforts, the promised land of the top tier remained elusive, with that near-miss in 1971-1972 becoming the defining moment of an era that could have been so much more.
While at The Den, Dunphy went on to make 274 Football League appearances for the Lions, dictating play from the centre of the park and providing the kind of composure that set him apart from the more industrial players around him. What’s more, his ability to read the game and distribute the ball effectively allowed Millwall to punch above their weight in an era when the First Division seemed tantalisingly within reach.
While his club career was spent in England, Dunphy’s heart remained in Ireland. He earned himself 23 senior caps for the Republic of Ireland, making his debut in a crucial World Cup play-off against Spain in 1965. Although Ireland suffered a 1-0 defeat against the Spaniards, Dunphy’s performance hinted at the technical nous that would become his trademark. Despite his abilities, his international career never reached great heights, a reflection of the struggles Ireland faced on the global stage during that era. However, he remained a passionate advocate for Irish football, a commitment which would later influence his punditry.
In 1977, Dunphy returned to his native Ireland to join forces with Shamrock Rovers, lured by Johnny Giles’ vision of turning the Glenmalure Park club into the first fully professional side in the country. While there were moments of success, including an FAI Cup victory in the 1977-78 campaign, Dunphy quickly became disillusioned with the state of the Irish game. The dream of Rovers becoming a force in European football never materialised, and before long, he stepped away from playing altogether, setting his sights on a new career.
PART TWO
Eamon Dunphy’s transition from soccer player to journalist was seamless. He possessed a sharp mind, an ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity, and, perhaps most importantly, a fearless attitude towards authority. The former midfield orchestrator first started writing for the Sunday Tribune, and then moved on to the Sunday Independent, where his provocative columns quickly made him a household name.
His book “Only a Game? The Diary of a Professional Footballer”, which was first published in 1976, remains one of the most insightful and brutally honest accounts of life in English football’s lower leagues. Unlike the polished autobiographies of today, Dunphy’s book openly exposed the financial struggles, dressing room politics, and psychological toll of professional football. It was indeed a refreshing departure from the hero-worship narratives that dominated football literature at the time, earning the author widespread acclaim.
Dunphy’s talents extended beyond just print journalism. He also became a fixture on RTÉ’s football coverage, where his no-holds-barred analysis more often than not put him at odds with players, managers, and fellow pundits alike. While many broadcasters sought to play it safe, he relished in controversy.
His verbal jousts with Johnny Giles and ex-Arsenal and Republic of Ireland midfield favourite Liam Brady became the stuff of legend, with the trio forming an unlikely but compelling dynamic. Giles, the measured tactician; Brady, the calm mediator; and Dunphy, the firebrand who never shied away from an argument.
Beyond RTÉ, Eamon Dunphy expanded his media empire. He hosted The Last Word on Today FM and fronted various radio shows on Newstalk. Moreover, his ability to blend sports analysis with broader political and cultural commentary set him apart. While some adored his candid approach, others found his tendency to pontificate exhausting. Nevertheless, he remained one of Ireland’s most listened-to voices.