It's 10 years today since Kieran Donaghy's iconic interview after the 2014 All-Ireland final. In honour of that classic, we're taking a look back at some of the best post-match interviews from the world of sport. The selections below encapsulate the weird, wacky, and brilliant energy that only post-match interviews can bring.
READ HERE: Brendan Rogers On What It Was Really Like Playing For Derry Under Mickey Harte
READ HERE: 5 Irish Storylines To Track In The WSL This Season
14 of the greatest post-match interviews of all-time
Kieran Donaghy
The interview that spawned a thousand tweets. This had a nice post-script when Joe Brolly was smuggled into a do in Tralee.
As Donaghy made to tell a rapt function room about his interview, Brolly emerged from stage right, shouting 'You cheeky Tyrone bastard' amid whoops and hollers and gasps from the audience.
When Donaghy protested that Brolly had said he 'was finished', Brolly replied 'it wasn't me who left you on the bench for 90% of the year.'
Noel King
Upset at the RTE panel's rather harsh treatment of his first game in charge, Noel King arrived for his second and last post-match interview as Ireland manager, spoiling for a fight.
He duly lost the rag at the merest hint of a provocative question (though provocative might be over-egging it a bit). The interview degenerated in a farce with King losing control, making to leave and then being called back.
READ HERE: Remembering The RTÉ Panel's Iconic Beef With Noel King
Brendan Venter
Brendan Venter got into trouble for over-critical comments in a previous interview. His protest here landed him in more disciplinary trouble.
Jason Cummings
The 'Cumdog' came off the bench with his Shrewsbury Town side 2-0 down against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
The Scottish striker then scored a brace to force a replay, then subsequently lauded Ian Wright in the post-match interview.
"Ian Wright, he knows his stuff!" #FACup pic.twitter.com/itt3RMVaGZ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 26, 2020
Nick Cummins
One of the interviews on which the legend of Cummins was built. The whole thing requires detailed translation on first listen due to his liberal use of rhyming slang and odd phrase-making.
Ayeisha McFerran
After saving three penalties in Ireland's 3-1 shootout victory over India in the Hockey World Cup, Ireland goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran couldn't contain her happiness in her post-match interview.
She could barely get her words out such was the excitement,
Excitement levels = 💯#HWC2018 pic.twitter.com/i0qNnZifzo
— BT Sport (@btsport) August 2, 2018
Jonathan Glynn
Rarely has a post-match interview contained so many beautiful elements. The interior monologue, the early use of the words 'poxy' and 'clobbered', the vaseline on the eyebrows, the in-joke about the teammate, the stray words, the apology...
Rec1075 by swflb
Cian Lynch
Powered by an unnatural enthusiasm, Cian Lynch really came across like a teenager who had just won Man of the Match in his senior championship debut.
Martin O'Neill
Us in Ireland are well-used to Martin O'Neill's post-match interviews from his time as Ireland manager, yet his shining moment in the artform came after his Celtic side were robbed of a point in the Champions League after a last minute penalty was given against them.
The interview sees O'Neill toying with equal amounts of anger and pride in an "extraordinary" interview. Extraordinary. Did we mention it's "extraordinary"?
John Guidetti
When Barry McGuigan won the World title in '85, he approached Jimmy McGee and announced 'Jaysus, Jimmy, we done it!'
John Guidetti took a similarly matey approach with the Swedish TV interviewer after their 4-1 win over Denmark in the European U21 championship.
He proceeded to give a Sherman-esque rebuke to the Danes.
Richard Sherman
Richard Sherman studied at the Declan Kidney school of post-match interviews but unfortunately dropped out and proceeded to repudiate any small bit he learned.
Adebayo Akinfenwa
Veteran Football League striker Adebayo Akinfenwa is well-known for his boisterous personality and liability to say anything during a post-match interview.
It was no different after his Wycombe side won the League One play-off final to play in the second tier of English football for the very first time. Gassed up by his teammates, Akinfenwa said that the only person who could Whatsapp him after his achievement was Jurgen Klopp.
And in fairness to the Liverpool manager, he actually did.
📲 - "The only person that can hit me up on WhatsApp this time is Klopp so we can celebrate together!"@daRealAkinfenwa may have just given the best post-match interview ever...😂pic.twitter.com/MAxCPgFZqq
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) July 13, 2020
Gary Anderson
Here at Balls.ie, we go by the mantra of "Thy whom smelled it, dealt it".
So, we couldn't help feel for Gary Anderson when he was forced to defend himself from an egregious accusation of farting on the oche during a match in 2018.
The man beside John Mullane
This interview being on here has little to do with John Mullane's own contribution and everything to do with his PR adviser in the corner.
Though John did tee up the man to his left with his declaration of love for his county...
