1 week Ago By Philip Downes
Late Late Show viewers were left in stitches by John Giles and Liam Brady’s appearance on the show.The Republic of Ireland legends and football pundits appeared on the Late Late on Friday night, ahead of their Vicar Street show in aid of the Ireland Professional Footballers Benevolent Association.While honorary Irishman Jack Charlton is fondly remembered as getting Ireland to the World Cup quarter final in 1990, and again to the last 16 in 1994, John and Liam both have very different experiences with him; as John played with him at Leeds United in the 1960s and 70s, while Liam was managed by him in the 80s and just before the World Cup.
Late Late Show viewers were left in stitches by John Giles and Liam Brady’s appearance on the show. Pic: Late Late Show/InstagramDespite retiring during the qualification for Italia 90, Liam cheekily declared himself available once they made it, before Jack ruled him out of playing; and despite some people expecting him to hold a grudge, Liam said that he got on alright with his former boss.‘I got on alright with Jack — I just got old at the wrong time as a footballer,’ Liam said.
‘Jack had a certain way of playing the game that probably didn’t suit the style I played. I think if John had been the manager I might’ve lasted a bit longer, but he’ll tell you Jack was a fine player.’John echoed those sentiments, before regaling the audience with a hilarious story about Jack’s no nonsense style, with no prisoners being held — including, hypothetically, his brother, former England captain and World Cup winner Bobby Charlton.
Sounds like classic Jack 🤣#latelate pic.twitter.com/C23HyzDVZn— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) April 11, 2025 ‘When I played for Leeds he didn’t like me,’ John joked.
‘Jack was a centre-half, saw the game through a centre-half’s mind...
when I played for Leeds I was a midfield player, I’d go deep for the ball, [Billy] Bremner would go deep for the ball. But if we lost a match and had the crisis meeting afterwards, Jack’s first thing was “those two bastards are coming back too far!”‘Adding that centre-backs are ‘supposed to fear the worst,’ John once got into a row — one of ‘loads of rows’ the pair had — and asked about if he’d be treating his younger brother Bobby like that; who John also played with during a stellar career with Manchester United.‘I said “your Bobby,” who was one of the best players in the world, “wouldn’t get into your team,”‘ John said, before revealing that Jack retorted ‘”he would if he did what I f**king told him,”‘ to a roar of laughter.
Ireland was lucky to have great players Johnny Giles+Liam Brady imo 2 great RTE pundits chalk and cheese along with Dunphy and the late Bill they are the real a team punditary comparing to whats now dull and boring imo gilies dunphy eamon+ bill made it legendary #LateLateShow pic.twitter.com/KLI5PsWzkS— John Adams (@JohnAdamswexIre) April 11, 2025 Enjoyed John and LiamJust imagine Eamonn with them tonight that would of been somethingJohn talking about Jack Charlton was priceless stuff #latelate— Gerry (@gerhewitt1) April 11, 2025 @RTELateLateShow John Giles is such a gentleman, a real national treasure #latelateshow— byGrainne Byrne (@grainnebyrne) April 11, 2025 While some enjoyed the dynamic duo of Johnny and Liam, others couldn’t help but wonder where Eamonn Dunphy — who was usually the most outspoken on the trio of RTÉ football panelists including John and Liam — was sorely missed.
‘Enjoyed John and Liam,’ one person wrote on Twitter (X). ‘Just imagine Eamonn with them tonight that would of been something. John talking about Jack Charlton was priceless stuff.
’Others asked ‘where’s Eamon?’ on Instagram, while others praised John and Liam as players and pundits from days gone by.‘Ireland was lucky to have great players Johnny Giles & Liam Brady,’ one person wrote. ‘2 great RTE pundits, chalk and cheese along with Dunphy and the late Bill.
They are the real A team punditry comparing to whats now dull and boring. Giles Dunphy Eamon & Bill made it legendary.’The Late Late Show can be watched back on the RTÉ Player.
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