Richard Dunne

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Personal information
Richard Dunne
Full name	Richard Dunne
Date of birth	September 21, 1979 (age 27)
Place of birth	Dublin, Ireland
Height	6 ft 2 in
Nickname	Honey Monster, Dunninho, Two Tonne
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Manchester City
Number	22
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1996–2000 2000–present	Everton Manchester City	060 (0) 220 (6)
National team²
2000–present	Republic of Ireland	035 (5)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:50, 8 April 2007 (UTC). ² National team caps and goals correct as of 12:00, 29 March 2007 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals)

Richard Dunne (born September 21, 1979 in Dublin) is an Irish footballer, who currently plays in the English Premier League as a defender for Manchester City. He is nicknamed "Honey Monster" because of his size (and therefore resemblance to the character who promotes Sugar Puffs).

Having played schoolboy football in Dublin form Home Farm, Dunne started his professional career in 1996 with Everton, making his debut at the age of 16. In the autumn of 2000 he was signed by Manchester City for a fee of £3 million. City had signed both Dunne and Laurent Charvet as replacements for right back Richard Edghill who had suffered from a dip in form. Despite playing his first few games in a blue shirt as a right back it was in the centre of defence where Dunne made his biggest impact on the team. Dunne had various partners in the centre of defence in his first season at the club and for a few games he played in a three man defence with Andy Morrison and Steve Howey. His first season saw City relegated into the first division and acquire the services of a new manager, Kevin Keegan. Disciplinary problems in 2003 resulted in a club suspension, and his time at Manchester City looked to be over. However, Dunne returned to the first team following an intensive fitness programme, and within a few months gained an international recall. A number of consistent performances resulted in Dunne receiving Manchester City's Player of the Year award for 2004/05. He has been capped 28 times for the Republic of Ireland, scoring four goals (as of July 2006). Dunne was part of his country's squad at the 2002 FIFA World Cup though he did not play any football at that tournament.

On 20 July 2006, at the age of 26, Dunne was appointed club captain, taking over from Sylvain Distin, amidst rumours of Distin leaving City. [1]

On 18 January 2007, Micah Richards said: “Ever since I’ve come to this club Richard has just been quality. I play with him week in, week out and I think he’s one of the best players I’ve played with. I’ve played with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand in the England squad but Richard is right up there with them.”

[edit] Trivia

He revealed to Ireland's Hot Press Magazine that he and his partner named their daughter Lyla (born in 2006) after the song penned by Manchester City supporters Oasis [Hot Press news story]

[edit] External links

Richard Dunne career stats at Soccerbase

	Republic of Ireland squad - 2002 FIFA World Cup
1 Given \| 2 Finnan \| 3 Harte \| 4 Cunningham \| 5 Staunton \| 6 Roy Keane \| 7 McAteer \| 8 Holland \| 9 Duff \| 10 Robbie Keane \| 11 Kilbane \| 12 Kinsella \| 13 Connolly \| 14 Breen \| 15 Dunne \| 16 Kiely \| 17 Quinn \| 18 G. Kelly \| 19 Morrison \| 20 O'Brien \| 21 Reid \| 22 Carsley \| 23 A. Kelly \| Coach: McCarthy

Manchester City F.C. - Current Squad
1 Isaksson \| 2 Richards \| 3 Ball \| 4 Jordan \| 5 Dabo \| 7 Ireland \| 8 Barton \| 9 Mpenza \| 10 Abdoun \| 11 Vassell \| 12 Weaver \| 14 Dickov \| 15 Distin \| 16 Onuoha \| 17 Sun \| 18 Mills \| 20 Samaras \| 21 Hamann \| 22 Dunne \| 24 Beasley \| 27 Trabelsi \| 28 Sinclair \| 30 Corradi \| 33 Johnson \| 36 Sturridge \| 39 Laird \| 43 Miller \| Manager: Pearce