How Rod Liddle calling Roy Keane 'a thug' led to Eamon Dunphy's viral Irish TV moment

Controversial journalist and broadcaster Rod Liddle died this week aged 66, he was well-known for his inflammatory columns but Liddle was indirectly responsible for a viral moment in Irish television.

Liddle also made headlines for his colourful private life, when he left his partner of 11 years, Rachel Royce, with whom he had two children, for his 23-year-old mistress.

The estranged couple waged a public war of words over his affair with Alicia Munckton, a former receptionist at the Spectator magazine.

Liddle went on to present a programme about infidelity, arguing that men are genetically pre-programmed to be unfaithful.

Known for his controversial views, Liddle sparked multiple accusations of misogyny and racism with his columns in The Spectator.

The late Bill O'Herlihy was the anchor of RTÉ's football coverage for years, and at one point he brought up a Liddle column in which he called then-Manchester United captain Roy Keane a "thug".

Dunphy had a close relationship with Keane at the time, and was the ghostwriter for his autobiography.

A furious Dunphy replied: "I'll tell you who wrote it. I can remember his name. Rod Liddle. He's the guy who ran away and left his wife for a young one."

O'Herlihy tried to restore order to the broadcast but couldn't stop Dunphy.

Dunphy subsequently admitted he regretted his comments. “It was an unforgivable thing to say,” he said. “It was said in the heat of the moment and I apologise for it. It was a cheap shot. I wholeheartedly apologise.”

The viral moment is still spoken about by football fans. In an era where RTÉ's football pundits are often overshadowed by rivals such as the BBC and ITV, O'Herlihy, Dunphy and Johnny Giles' punditry is fondly remembered by fans.

Dunphy and Keane