A ‘long-shot’ that Martin O’Neill will apologise to Tony O’Donoghue

As Turkey take on the Republic of Ireland in this Friday’s international friendly, all eyes will be on Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and how he interacts with RTÉ’s Tony O’Donoghue in the post-match interview.

Relations have remained frosty between the pair ever since O’Neill famously stormed out of an interview with O’Donoghue back in November, following the Republic of Ireland’s 5-1 defeat against Denmark in the Aviva Stadium.

Now we make it an even money shot that Martin O’Neill will do the same again on Friday night.

Martin O’Neill gives his reaction to the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League draw and addresses recent speculation about his future #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/cLC1SiDARB

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) January 24, 2018

It’s also short odds at Evens, that the Ireland manager will refuse point blank to do any interview with the RTÉ soccer correspondent.

It’s a long-shot at 66/1 that O’Neill will have a complete change of heart, and say sorry to RTÉ’s intrepid reporter on air during Friday evening’s match coverage for his previous walk-outs.

In fact, it’s more likely at 25/1 that O’Neill will send out his second-in-command, to face O’Donoghue’s questions.

And although it could possibly prove even more entertaining for viewers and fans, it’s an unlikely 150/1 shot that Eamon Dunphy will be trotted out by RTÉ, instead of O’Donoghue, to give management a grilling.

A spokesperson for Paddy Power said: “It looks like the writing is already on the wall for Ireland this Friday, with Turkey odds-on favourites (5/6) to beat us in the New Antalya Stadium. And although we will of course be cheering on the Boys In Green, win, lose, or draw, we’ll have the popcorn out for the post-match interview.”

Martin O’Neill to walk out on another interview with Tony O’Donoghue – Evens
Martin O’Neill to refuse to do an interview with Tony O’Donohue – 6/4
Martin apologising to Tony O’Donoghue on air for previous walk-outs – 66/1
Eamon Dunphy to step in and do the interview with Martin O’Neill on behalf of RTÉ – 150/1
FAI chief John Delaney to do the interview with Martin O’Neill on behalf of RTÉ – 250/1

* All odds correct at time of posting.