When Ireland were defeated by Poland in the final game of Group D, all talk once again turned to Wes Hoolahan and why he wasn't in the team. After that win over Germany, we were in a euphoric mood but it quickly descended into the same old argument when it became clear that Hoolahan was not in the starting lineup.
Darragh Maloney got it in the neck from Eamon Dunphy but in reality it was O'Neill who was once again the subject of Dunphy's ire. As it so happened, Hoolahan later came out an explained the reason for his absence, Ireland went on to dispatch Bosnia and O'Neill was vindicated.
We're just speculating here, but, with that in mind, Martin O'Neill didn't exactly hide the identity of the pundit(s) he was less than enamoured with during an interview with Setanta Sports which aired last night.
A refreshingly honest O'Neill was asked about the criticism from some quarters about his perceived fear of using creative players and the former Villa boss was having none of it.
If you're asking me if I refrain from playing skilful players when it's important, I've never heard so much drivel in my life.
After pointing out his proclivity for signing attacking players while at Villa, the Ireland boss went on to zero in on some unnamed 'people who are in the game' who are essentially spouting absolute nonsense according to O'Neill.
There are people who are in the game, who have had a say for years and years who really do not have a clue, genuinely do not have a clue and my experience, my judgement of players, I think is as good as any.
I know my team have a fair idea about flair and they certainly have a better idea about flair than some pundits who don't even attend matches and are making a judgement from a studio.
That's that then. If it's at all possible, then we'd like to change our Santa wishlist so that RTÉ can arrange a live Christmas special whereby Eamon Dunphy interviews Martin O'Neill over Christmas dinner. That's not too much to ask for, surely?
