10. Kenny Cunningham/ Kevin Doyle (RTE)
The two former Ireland internationals aren’t always a double act, with Cunningham on co-commentary duty at times, but they do seem to bounce off each other pretty well.
Different characters for sure— but the chemistry is present. The reason that we can’t separate them, however, is because of their after-match reaction to Morocco’s defeat of Spain in the last 16.
Having tipped the African side before the penalty shootout, Doyle and Cunningham wore the red ‘Fez’ on their heads afterwards. Imagine Liam Brady doing likewise?
9. Alex Scott (BBC)
From Stephanie Roche, Aine O’Gorman and Karen Duggan on RTE, to the likes of Karen Carney and Eni Aluko on ITV, the female pundits, as well as the presenters, have all made an impression on the tournament.
Carney, in particular, is growing in stature. However, partly because of her greater experience, and
certainly because of her versatility, Alex Scott has become a popular presence on the BBC coverage. Equally adept when asking the questions, or answering them, Scott’s confidence in her own ability has improved considerably.
8. Didi Hamann (RTE)
The former Germany international annoyed my head with his reaction to the Brazilian dancing against South Korea. But his prediction that ‘they won’t be dancing in a fortnight’s time’ was spot on. Still bitter about 2002 no doubt, so we assume he smiled while Neymar cried.
To be fair to Hamann, however, especially after the halcyon days of Dunphy, Giles and Brady, he has brought
much-needed gravitas to the RTE coverage. Knowledgeable, forthright and not afraid to ruffle feathers, he is somebody who you still prefer to listen to, rather than avoid.
7. Gary Neville (ITV)
Neville would be much higher up the list if he was in a position to reproduce the type of punditry that has become commonplace on Sky Sports.
But time restrictions on ITV have led to him being somewhat marginalised in his analysis. Maybe it’s that we are all just a little sick of Neville as well. With an opinion these days on virtually everything —including politics — he appears to be bloody everywhere.
Still a man to provide topclass tactical insight, his propensity to defend English players at all costs has also reduced his overall appeal.
6. Ian Wright (ITV)
There were times, during his lengthy career on television, where Wright was basically being laughed at. The talk was that he was only there to provide a comedy act, that his actual ability to decipher the ins and outs of football matches was not up to scratch.
Wright was fully aware that he was an object of virtual ridicule, but he persevered, rode out the storm and became more empowered as a result. He also genuinely cares about the game, and his country, as his devastated reaction to England’s quarter-final defeat to France emphatically showed.
5. Damien Duff (RTE)
Probably because of his managerial commitments with Shelbourne, and because of his need to recharge the batteries after the League of Ireland season, Duff hasn’t been a regular presence on RTE in this tournament. He has been missed.
Duff often looks like he would prefer to be anywhere else than the TV studio, but when he opens his mouth, he is a very enlightening individual. Generally blessed with the courage of his convictions to call a spade a spade, he comes across as a man who doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
4. Graeme Souness (ITV)
Unquestionably an arrogant man, who believes his opinions are the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, Souness remains a box-office attraction.
Love him or hate him, and there’s probably more of the latter, what he says still carries a certain resonance. Souness is also very good when he has someone to bounce off, who he considers to be a serious rival in the punditry pecking order.
That’s where Roy Keane enters the equation. Neither willing to give an inch, as in keeping with their on-pitch characters, they have more in common than they would care to admit.
3. Joseph Ndo (RTE)
The unexpected appearance of Ndo on our TV screens for the 3-3 thriller between Cameroon and Serbia was a blessing.
With a fascinating perspective into how his native country operates, the League of Ireland legend was a breath of fresh air.
Ndo also didn’t take himself too seriously, dancing around the studio to celebrate a Cameroon goal. He was then adamant that the Indomitable Lions could beat Brazil, and he was right. It’s an awful pity that RTE have, thus far, not utilised him much more frequently.
2. Ally McCoist (ITV)
It is quite amazing, that although he has been an excellent TV performer for over 25 years, McCoist remains criminally under-rated in many quarters. With an ability to turn his hand to all aspects of football broadcasting, the Scot’s consistency and longevity is worthy of serious admiration.
Always charming, dove-tailing seamlessly with whoever he comes in contact with, McCoist is so, so comfortable in this profession, whether on co-commentaries or as a pundit.
Sky Sports would do well to consider moving him to their Premier League coverage, rather than the less-watched
Scottish game.
1. Roy Keane (ITV)
Eamon Dunphy and John Giles are definitely badly missed but it’s instructive that it remains an Irishman riding high on top of the must-watch list when it comes to box-office brilliance.
Even Keane himself is probably surprised at this. The man who said he would prefer going to the dentist rather than
becoming a football pundit, Keane now reminds us of Ronnie O’Sullivan in snooker.
Two charismatic, engaging characters who doth protest too much that they actually hate what they’re doing. Do not believe a single word of it.
Keane is not just ‘an angry man’ bemoaning the modern game either. Of course, he can rant and rave with the best of them, but his succinct summing up of the pressure that possibly engulfed Harry Kane when taking that second penalty on Saturday night, was hugely informative.
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