Richard Dunne
Richard Dunne after a famous performance for Ireland against Russia in Moscow. Dunne's contributions helped seal eventual qualification for UEFA Euro 2012. |
| Personal information |
| Full name |
Richard Patrick Dunne |
| Date of birth |
(1979-09-21) 21 September 1979 (age 32) |
| Place of birth |
Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland |
| Height |
1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) [1] |
| Playing position |
Centre Back |
| Club information |
| Current club |
Aston Villa |
| Number |
5 |
| Senior career* |
| Years |
Team |
Apps† |
(Gls)† |
| 1996–2000 |
Everton |
60 |
(0) |
| 2000–2009 |
Manchester City |
296 |
(7) |
| 2009– |
Aston Villa |
95 |
(4) |
| National team‡ |
| 1997–1999 |
Republic of Ireland B |
2 |
(0) |
| 2000– |
Republic of Ireland |
72 |
(8) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 May 2012 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 26 May 2012 |
Richard Patrick Dunne (born 21 September 1979) is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Aston Villa and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he was a member of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad and helped his team qualify for UEFA Euro 2012.
Dunne began his professional career at Everton. He later spent nearly a decade at Manchester City before joining Aston Villa in 2009.
Having played schoolboy football in Dublin for Home Farm, Dunne joined Everton as a 15-year-old schoolboy in the 1994–95 season. The next season, he started to play for Everton reserves and in early 1997, Dunne signed a 5-year professional contract. He was part of the successful 1996 FA Youth Cup squad along with Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman.
Dunne made his debut under then manager Gary Neville in 1997, at the age of seven.[2]
Dunne with Manchester City
In the autumn of 2000, he was signed by Manchester City for a fee of £3 million.[3] City had signed both Dunne and Laurent Charvet as replacements for right back Richard Edghill who had suffered from a dip in form.
It was in the centre of defence where Dunne made his biggest impact on the team. Dunne had various partners in the centre of defence in his first season at the club and for a few games he played in a three man defence with Andy Morrison and Steve Howey. His first season saw City relegated into the first division and acquire the services of a new manager, Kevin Keegan. Disciplinary problems in 2003 resulted in a club suspension, and his time at Manchester City looked to be over. However, Dunne returned to the first team following an intensive fitness programme, and within a few months gained an international recall.
A number of consistent performances resulted in Dunne receiving Manchester City's Player of the Year award for 2004–05, which he also won in the 2005–06, 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons, becoming the first person to win City's PotY award four times. In the 2006 close season, at the age of 26, Dunne was appointed club captain, taking over from Sylvain Distin, amidst rumours of Distin leaving City.[4]
On 18 January 2007, Manchester City teammate Micah Richards said: “Ever since I’ve come to this club Richard has just been quality. I play with him week in, week out and I think he’s one of the best players I’ve played with. I’ve played with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand in the England squad but Richard is right up there with them.”[5]
On 4 July 2008, Dunne signed a new four-year contract with Manchester City to keep him at the club until 2012.[6]
In August 2008, Garry Cook, Chief Executive of City, said "China and India are gagging for football content to watch and we’re going to tell them that City is their content. We need a superstar to get through that door. Richard Dunne doesn’t roll off the tongue in Beijing."[7]
Dunne continued to play throughout 2008/09 making 47 starts in all competitions despite three red cards. He marked his 29th Birthday with a goal in the 6–0 win against Portsmouth on 21 September 2008,[8] while his eighth Premier League red card against Wigan Athletic in January 2009 equalled a record set by Patrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson.[9]
Following the signings of Kolo Touré and Joleon Lescott, it was reported that Dunne could leave the City of Manchester Stadium with Aston Villa the most likely destination. Villa confirmed on 27 August 2009, that they had agreed a fee with Manchester City for the defender.[10] Aston Villa filed the paperwork for the deal before the close of the transfer window but the Premier League announced that the deal could not be "ratified" until 2 September 2009,[11] when the deal was completed.[12] Martin O'Neill later stated the fee paid for Dunne was £5 million and that the player had signed a four-year deal.[13]
Dunne made his debut in a 1–0 win over Birmingham City at St. Andrews, courtesy of an 85th minute strike from Gabriel Agbonlahor. Following the game, Dunne heaped praise on new teammates James Collins, Carlos Cuéllar and Stephen Warnock, claiming that their partnership in defence "seems to have worked reasonably well". On 26 September 2010, Dunne played the full 90 minutes alongside James Collins against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in a 2-1 defeat.[14]
On 5 October 2009, Dunne scored his first goal for Villa, coincidently against his former club Manchester City, in a 1–1 draw.[15] He was applauded by Manchester City fans for his respect in refusing to celebrate his goal.[16] He netted his second goal later that month in the team's 2–1 home victory over Chelsea. He was named in the PFA team of the year for the 2009–2010 season. On 21 November 2010, he started and played the full 90 minutes alongside Ciaran Clark against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in a disappointing 2-0 defeat. On 11 December 2010, Richard Dunne was dropped from the team and replaced by Carlos Cuellar. Dunne was recalled to the starting line up in the away game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which villa ended up drawing 3-3. On 1 February 2011, he started and completed the full 90 minutes alongside James Collins in the Barclays Premier League game with Manchester United at Old Trafford in a 3-1 defeat.
On 18 March 2011, Dunne along with Collins have been fined a total of £200,000 – two weeks’ wages each – by Villa for a boozy row with club staff during a team-bonding exercise.[17]
At the end of the 2010-11 season, Dunne made 35 appearances in all competitions for Villa. Ahead of the new 2011-2012 campaign, new manager Alex McLeish has said because of his aerial ability and such good awareness on the ball he will be an automatic first choice at the back. On 27 July 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy held in Hong Kong. On 30 July 2011, he started the final with Chelsea and also completed the full 90 minutes in a disappointing 2-0 defeat.
Dunne is known for holding the unfortunate record of scoring the most Premier League own goals, with a current tally of nine. He most recently scored a 93rd minute equalising own goal against QPR in a 1-1 draw on 25 September 2011.[18] On 29 October 2011 he scored his first goal of the 2011-12 season in a 2-2 draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.[19] On 12 February 2012, Dunne fractured his right clavicle when Joe Hart clobbered him during a Premier League match with his former club Manchester City. He had surgery in Birmingham the following day.[20] In March 2012, amid concerns over his welfare ahead of UEFA Euro 2012, Dunne linked up with NFL side the Cleveland Browns.[21]
Dunne made his debut for the Republic of Ireland on 26 April 2000 in a 1–0 loss against Greece in a friendly match.[22] His first international goal came just two months later in only his third cap as he scored on June 4 against Mexico, helping his team come from 2–0 down to drawing 2–2.[23] He was selected by Mick McCarthy to play against the likes of Holland and Portugal during their successful qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. His first competitive goal for Ireland came against Estonia in a 2–0 win.
Dunne was part of the Irish squad that played at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but the centre-half pairing of Gary Breen and Steve Staunton (the latter of whom became team captain following the departure of Roy Keane) was favoured by Mick McCarthy, meaning Dunne did not even make an appearance as a substitute. The emergence of John O'Shea and Brian Kerr's preference for Kenny Cunningham meant that Dunne's chances with Ireland were extremely limited during their unsuccessful attempt to qualify for UEFA Euro 2004. He did score his fourth international goal in a friendly against Turkey just prior to the end of the campaign. Dunne again found himself out of favour with Kerr during the qualification campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, only featuring in the final three matches which included a 1–0 defeat to France, a game that ultimately cost Ireland qualification. Another change of manager for Ireland saw Dunne's former teammate, Steve Staunton, use him during the majority of the Euro 2008 qualification campaign. Early defeats to Germany and a humiliating 5–2 loss to Cyprus, a match in which Dunne scored before giving away a penalty and being sent off,[24] ensured qualification was always beyond the Irish. Dunne only missed three of the twelve matches, due to suspension and injury rather than form.
Giovanni Trappatoni was appointed Ireland manager for the qualification campaign ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup[25] and with it is has cemented Richard Dunne as Ireland's top defender and one of the best players. He played in all ten games helping Ireland finish second and qualify for a play-off whilst also scoring goals in both 1–1 draws with Bulgaria, as well as winning the man of the match award in the away game held in Sofia.[26] He also played the entire matches in both legs against France as Ireland were controversially knocked out 2–1 on aggregate after extra-time. Dunne was famously pictured sitting distraught on the pitch in Paris as Thierry Henry, the very person who had seconds earlier cheated Ireland out of their place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, consoled him.[27][28]
On 8 February 2011, Dunne started and completed the full 90 minutes in Ireland's first Nations Cup game against Wales in a 3-0 win. On 26 March 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes in the Group B Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia in a 2-1 victory at the Aviva Stadium. On Wednesday 10 August 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes alongside Sean St. Ledger in the goalless draw against Croatia at the Aviva Stadium.[29]
On Tuesday 6 September 2011, Dunne started and played the full 90 minutes in the goalless draw against Russia in Moscow. Dunne gave perhaps the best performance of his career to date, winning the man of the match award as he almost single-handedly stopped a Russian team which totally dominated midfield and created wave after wave of attacks. Former Villa centre half Paul McGrath described Dunne's heroics as the best performance from an Irish centre half he had ever witnessed, including his own legendary performance against Italy in the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
On Tuesday 11 October 2011, Dunne started and played the full 90 minutes alongside Sean St. Ledger in a 2-1 victory for Ireland over Armenia at the Aviva Stadium which gained them a play-off spot for UEFA Euro 2012, scoring in the 60th minute his eighth goal on his 69th international appearance for his country.[30][31] After the team qualified for UEFA Euro 2012 with an unprecedented 5-1 aggregate play-off win over their opponents, Dunne described it as "the best experience I've probably had in football".[32][33]
- Scores and results list Ireland's goal tally first
| Date |
Venue |
Opponent |
Result |
Competition |
Tally |
| 4 June 2000 |
Soldier Field, Chicago, USA |
 Mexico |
2–2 |
U.S. Cup |
1 |
| 11 October 2000 |
Lansdowne Road, Dublin |
 Estonia |
2–0 |
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) |
2 |
| 6 June 2001 |
Lilleküla Stadium, Tallinn, Estonia |
Estonia |
2–0 |
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) |
3 |
| 9 September 2003 |
Lansdowne Road, Dublin |
 Turkey |
2–2 |
Friendly |
4 |
| 7 October 2006 |
Neo GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus |
 Cyprus |
2–5 |
UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
5 |
| 28 March 2009 |
Croke Park, Dublin |
 Bulgaria |
1–1 |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) |
6 |
| 6 June 2009 |
Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria |
Bulgaria |
1–1 |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) |
7 |
| 11 October 2011 |
Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
 Armenia |
2–1 |
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
8 |
- Everton
- Manchester City
- Aston Villa
{{updated|29 April 2012)}[34]
- ^ Premier League Player Profile accessed 10 March 2011
- ^ The Independent.
- ^ "Dunne signs for Man City". BBC Sport. 2000-10-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/975283.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
- ^ Dunne is new Club Captain Tim Oscroft, www.mcfc.co.uk, 2006-07-20. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
- ^ Taylor, Daniel (2008-01-12). "Eriksson leads the acclaim for reformed monster Dunne". The Guardian (London). http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2239680,00.html#article_continue. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
- ^ "Richard Dunne signs new Man City contract". Telegraph (London). 2008-07-04. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/mancity/2304814/Richard-Dunne-signs-new-Man-City-contract.html. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
- ^ Winter, Henry (2008-08-22). "Gary Cook seeks magic recipe...". Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/mancity/2604213/Gary-Cook-seeks-magic-recipe-to-return-Man-City-to-top-table---Football.html. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
- ^ Whyatt, Chris (2008-09-21). "Man City 6–0 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7613925.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
- ^ Cheese, Caroline (17 January 2009). "Premier League as it happened". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7830380.stm. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
- ^ "Dunne Fee Agreed". Aston Villa F.C.. 27 August 2009. http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10265~1778148,00.html. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
- ^ "Dunne deal delay". Sky Sports. 1 September 2009. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5530908,00.html. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
- ^ "Villa tie up Dunne deal". Sky Sports News (Sky Sports). 2 September 2009. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_5531885,00.html. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
- ^ "Manchester United were made stronger after defeat to Aston Villa, says Martin O'Neill". Daily Mail (London). 2010-02-10. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1249739/Manchester-United-stronger-defeat-Aston-Villa-says-Martin-ONeill.html.
- ^ http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10265~1796029,00.html
- ^ "Aston Villa 1–1 Man City". BBC Sport. 2009-10-05. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8283753.stm. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
- ^ "Subdued Dunne resists celebration". BBC Sport. 2009-10-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8291977.stm. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
- ^ "Dunne and Collins are fined by Villa". Express & Star. 18 March 2011. http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2011/03/18/dunne-and-collins-are-fined-by-villa/#ixzz1bA3hlJX8. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ Magowan, Alistair (25 September 2011). "QPR 1–1 Aston Villa". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14963077.stm. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
- ^ "Sunderland 2–2 Aston Villa". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 29 October 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14963077.stm. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
- ^ "Dunne facing shoulder operation". RTÉ Sport. 13 February 2012. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2012/0213/dunner_astonvilla_ireland.html. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
- ^ "Dunne heads Stateside to aid recovery". RTÉ Sport. 20 March 2012. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2012/0320/dunner.html. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
- ^ "First Cap: Ireland v Greece 26/04/00". FAI. 2009-04-28. http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49:richard-dunne-&catid=1:senior-men&Itemid=8. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ "Ireland overcomes two goal deficit to tie Mexico 2–2". SoccerTimes.com. 2000-06-04. http://www.soccertimes.com/international/2000/games/jun04.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ Haughey, John (2006-10-07). "Cyprus 5–2 Republic of Ireland". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/5416464.stm. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ "Giovanni Trapattoni appointed as Republic of Ireland manager". TimesOnline (London). 2008-02-13. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3363185.ece. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ "Bulgaria 1–1 Ireland". RTÉ Sport. 2009-06-06. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0606/bulgaria_ireland.html. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ "Dunne ready to put Paris behind him". RTÉ Sport. 4 December 2009. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/1204/dunner.html.
- ^ "Dunne disappointed and defiant". RTÉ Sport. 15 November 2009. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/1115/dunner.html.
- ^ "France 1–1 Rep of Ire (agg 2–1)". BBCSport. 2009-11-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8367418.stm. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
- ^ RTÉ Sport. 2011-06-09. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0906/russia_ireland.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
- ^ https://twitter.com/paulmcgrath5/status/111140200931016706
- ^ "Duff - Euro qualification an 'amazing feeling'". RTÉ Sport. 15 November 2011. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/1115/ireland_quotes_players.html.
- ^ "Republic boss Trapattoni 'proud' of Irish team". BBC Sport. 15 November 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15734780.stm.
- ^ "Richard Dunne Career Stats". Soccerbase. 4 January 2010. http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=10583. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
| Persondata |
| Name |
Dunne, Richard |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
Footballer |
| Date of birth |
1979-09-21 |
| Place of birth |
Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
