• Republic of Ireland manager’s attempt at humour backfires • O’Neill also criticised in March for ‘ugly’ wives remark

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Martin O’Neill has apologised for making an “inappropriate” comment as the Republic of Ireland squad were given a big Euro 2016 sendoff in Cork.

O’Neill, his staff and players attended an event at the city’s Opera House last Wednesday which was not open to the media, although excerpts were later broadcast by the organiser, Today FM.

Reports have emerged that O’Neill joked he had taken the coaches Steve Guppy and Steve Walford along to the Super Bowl in the United States so people did not think he and his assistant, Roy Keane, were “queers”.

O’Neill said on Monday: “If I had made inappropriate comments, then I obviously apologise. I will attempt during the rest of my time not to make such inappropriate comments.”

O’Neill’s attempts at humour can be quirky to say the least. He often apologises for the quality, rather than subject matter, of his off-the-cuff remarks during press conferences.

He landed himself in trouble earlier this year when he suggested “ugly” wives and girlfriends would not be allowed into the team hotel in France.

Roy Keane ‘wanted to kill’ Republic of Ireland players after Belarus defeat Read more

It proved an eventful trip to Cork, where Keane also made headlines with his withering assessment of the Republic’s performance in their 2-1 defeat by Belarus last Tuesday.

The assistant manager said he wanted to “kill” some of the players, while the winger Aiden McGeady came in for particular criticism for a poor display.

O’Neill revealed Keane had since spoken to McGeady. He said: “Roy’s already had a word with him. Roy’s words were slightly on the strong side. Any pieces of criticism the players get from Roy or myself they take on board or dismiss it accordingly.

“The reaction of the players has been very strong. If the Belarus game was a bit of blip with some of the players being a bit rusty, then that’s absolutely fine. It was a godsend to have that game because some of the players hadn’t played much football and needed it.”

There was mixed news for O’Neill as he and the squad prepared to fly out to France on Wednesday.

Robbie Keane, the captain who has been nursing a calf problem, was able to warm up in training but the utility player Robbie Brady joined Jonathan Walters, who also has a calf injury, on the sidelines after hurting his back over the weekend.

O’Neill said: “Robbie Keane did a little bit of work; he’s improving by the day, which is good news. Jon Walters has had a bit of a problem for the last few days but he’s feeling a good bit better.

“He didn’t participate in training today and probably won’t tomorrow either and we’ll see what he’s like when he gets to France. Robbie Brady suffered a back spasm at the weekend.”

Asked if Keane remains on course to be fit for Ireland’s opening match against Sweden next Monday, the manager said: “I don’t know if he will be available for Sweden. I couldn’t tell you. But he’s definitely improving.”