Some put knife in & twisted it

on the floor with results and confidence, and they tried to stick the knife in a little bit.

“I thought it was poor and disappointing and blew up way too much.

“I know people are going to add speculation to the stuff on Damien and Kells (Alan Kelly, who has also left Kenny’s backroom team) but I think it’s not right.

“I don’t think people should jump to too many conclusions.”

Hourihane, 28, insists he had no issues with the video’s subject matter.

“None whatsoever,” he said. “As soon as we left camp it started blowing up.

“There wasn’t one word about anyone being disappointed, angry or showing any kind of annoyance towards the video, so when I went home and left camp and for it all to be blown up, it was confusing. I didn’t understand it.

“The whole thing was strange for me.”

The Corkman wants the controversy to be forgotten when the players meet for the start of the

World Cup qualifiers.

“We need to forget the previous few months because it’s been tough for us as a group and a nation.

“If you were in the camp and in the dressing-room that time, if you’re wise enough you will understand it’s been blown out way too much and should be put to bed.

“It wasn’t a major story in my eyes. The whole surprise around it was when I left camp to go home and see it blown up.”

On Duff’s decision to leave the coaching group, Hourihane said: “Disappointment, just because he’s had an unbelievable career... a top, top class coach, really refreshing and hugely knowledgeable. A brilliant coach on the grass.

“He brought so much to the camp and I’m sad to see him go.”

CONOR HOURIHANE has labelled the Videogate controversy as people “trying to stick the knife in” and over the top as he lamented the loss of Damien Duff from the Ireland set-up in the aftermath.

Hourihane (right), who has made a fast start to his loan spell with Swansea City from Aston Villa, is confused as to why the video shown by the Ireland boss Stephen Kenny to his players prior to the November friendly defeat to England was “blown up”.

“It was way too much, if I’m being honest,” the midfielder told Off The Ball. “The media probably got wind of it and we were