31-07-2025
‘I tried to fight Sergio Ramos but he wasn't even bothered' – Ireland legend's hilarious memory from Euro 2012 hammering
RICHARD Dunne and Glenn Whelan hilariously reflected on their Euro 2012 campaign in the 'group of death.'
3
The 45-year-old would not like to relive the tough 90 minutes against Spain
3
Sergio Ramos and Spain went on to win the third major competition in a row
3
Fernando Torres caused awful problems for Dunne and Ireland scoring two goals
Ireland equalled Yugoslavia's 1984 record of the worst performance by a team in the group stage of the
Euros
, finishing with no points and a goal difference of −8.
Ireland's highlight of the tournament came in the opening game against Croatia as Sean St Ledger's strike chalked off Mario Mandžukić's early goal, before they went on to lose 3-1.
A 4-0 loss to Spain was then followed by a 2-0 loss to Italy to end Ireland's Euro campaign without a point.
Italy and Spain then went on to play each other in the final of the tournament with Vicente del Bosque's side running out 4-0 winners.
Read more on Irish football
On
"The team sheets came in and David Silva, (Cesc) Fabregas and Juan Mata were only on the bench. They couldn't get in.
Most read in Football
"And we were going 4-4-2. I was going 'no let's go 5-5-6 or whatever.' I was delighted to be on the pitch with them in the right way but in the wrong way I wish I was sick."
Dunne had similar bad memories from the "nightmare" of a game against the world champions.
Amorim refuses to guarantee Hojlund Man Utd future amid Sesko transfer push
The former Aston Villa, Everton and Man City defender shared: "It was s***. It was really s***.
"You've reached a level of football where you think 'right we are capable of competing against the best,' and then you're not.
"And you are miles of it and you think 'I can't do anymore here, to just try survive on this pitch for the next half an hour' or whatever."
The fans seemed to enjoy the spectacle a lot more than the players at the Republic of Ireland's first European Championships in 24 years.
The fans were lauded for the support of the team, especially in the Spain game were they gave an inspiring rendition of 'The Fields of Athenry.'
Unfortunately the sing-song didn't have its effect on the pitch where for Dunne the match couldn't end quick enough.
The Dubliner added: "Fair play to the fans, they were singing and having a great time.
"We were literally crying on the pitch and going 'please end this.' It was a massacre. We couldn't get the ball, we couldn't do anything.
"I tried to start a fight with
