Richard Dunne insisted on playing against Burnley despite World Cup heartache with Ireland, says Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill

Nov 23 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill has revealed that defender Richard Dunne insisted on playing against Burnley as he was eager to try and put his World Cup heartache behind him.

The Villa manager conceded there would be no better tonic for the Republic of Ireland international, after his side were cheated out of a place in the finals by France, than getting back to winning ways with his club.

O’Neill allowed Dunne to make the decision over whether he felt up to playing at Turf Moor and was delighted when he agreed to play even if the performance was, in the end, not one of the player’s best in claret and blue. “Richard was obviously very despondent and very down after Wednesday,’’ said O’Neill.

“But I had a chat with him before the game and he was keen to play.

“He got through the match but I will give him a rest for a day or two now which I think he deserves.”

O’Neill believes the row between Ireland, France and the football authorities over whether or not the game should be replayed will still rumble on.

“We will see what the consequences are, if there is any action at all, about the Republic of Ireland and France game,” he added.