(foto: Screenshot)
Kevin Doyle apologises after being caught insulting Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai live on TV while celebrating Ireland’s dramatic late win over Hungary in World Cup qualifying.
Kevin Doyle issued a swift on-air apology after being caught calling a Liverpool player a “c***” during euphoric celebrations of Ireland’s dramatic 3-2 win over Hungary.
The former Premier League striker, now a pundit for RTE Sport, completely lost himself in the emotion of Troy Parrott’s stunning 96th-minute winner on Sunday — a goal that secured Ireland a place in the World Cup play-offs.
As the studio erupted, Doyle sprinted around the set before shouting: “Suck on that, you Liverpool c***!”. The remark was broadcast live, prompting immediate shock and laughter from colleagues.
It remains unclear whether Doyle was referring directly to Dominik Szoboszlai — Hungary’s captain and Liverpool midfielder — or Milos Kerkez, another Hungarian international currently playing at Anfield. However, Szoboszlai had already drawn the ire of Irish fans.
Moments earlier, after Barnabás Varga made it 2-1 for Hungary, Szoboszlai taunted home supporters by mimicking Cristiano Ronaldo’s infamous crying gesture from last week. The Liverpool star’s theatrics backfired spectacularly.
When Parrott completed his hat-trick with a last-gasp winner, Szoboszlai’s mock crying turned to genuine tears as Hungary’s qualification hopes collapsed.
Seeing his comment land awkwardly, Doyle immediately turned to fellow pundit Didi Hamann, a former Liverpool midfielder, to apologise for the crude celebration.
The victory sends Ireland into a one-leg World Cup play-off semi-final, with their opponent to be revealed on Thursday. A win would put them one step away from their first World Cup since 2002.
Doyle, who scored 37 Premier League goals across spells with Reading, Wolves and Crystal Palace, never reached a World Cup during his 62-cap international career — making Sunday’s breakthrough even sweeter for the former striker.