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Once his most ardent supporter, Eamon Dunphy has gone full circle in his relationship with Roy Keane, saying that he has “been a pain in the arse for a long time”.

Back when Keane was busy dividing a nation over the Saipan fiasco, Dunphy couldn’t have launched a more staunch defence of the former Irish captain, so much so in fact that his relationship with good buddy John Giles turned frosty for a significant period of time.

Ten years on, Dunphy now feels that Keane, who has been making his name as a pundit with ITV in recent times and hasn’t lost his ability to come out with a controversial comment or two, is becoming annoying and tiresome to listen to.

“He should (focus on his own career),” Dunphy is quoted as saying in the Irish Mirror.

“He is becoming a pain in the arse. He has been a pain in the arse for a long time.

“I never thought I would say that Roy Keane is a bore but he is – and you can quote me on that. I think he doesn’t have the track record as a manager to justify giving him the (Irish) job.

“I think he is a million miles away from where you would be looking if something happened to Trapattoni tomorrow. You would not be looking at Roy Keane on the basis of his CV.”

Keano was in town recently as part of a charity gig for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and as usual, he had a few things to get off his chest, including a snipe at Dunphy for some of the things included in Keane’s autobiography, which Dunphy helped write on the Corkman’s behalf.

Royston was critical of Dunphy over the infamous quote about Alfe Inge Haaland that landed him in hot water with the authorities, but Dunphy said that his conscience was clear.

“I said at the time that there was artistic license in that quote as it was presented in the book,” Dunphy said.

“In other words I was looking at the tackle knowing his state of mind in that he was looking for this guy because they had history. I attributed that quote to him. Did he clear it? He did.

“So what is he on about it? If he read it and it was an accurate description of his state of mind when he made the tackle, which I believe it was, then what has he got to complain about?”

Seems like Keano can't really complain about that one, but when Eamon Dunphy calls you a 'pain in the arse', you know it's time to buck up your act.