Giovanni Trapattoni ended my Republic of Ireland career with a 30-second phone-call. And when he called Kevin Foley into the room to end his Euro 2012 dream, it will have taken just as long. And he will not have expected all the fuss and furore.
For him, it was a purely football decision and one that was best for the team and Ireland and the reason why he is paid the money he is paid.
I was fit for the play-off games against Estonia in November, although I must admit I would have been struggling.
But I was available for selection when Giovanni named his team.
Then I got a call from the manager that week. It lasted 30 seconds.
He came across as quite cold and methodical and the language barrier doesn't help because he got to the point and had nothing else to add.
He just said I am not considering you for the play-offs and that was it.
And that is Giovanni.
He has no favourites, nobody he would see as special. It wouldn't mean anything to him how experienced you are, how many caps you have, the whole consecutive games thing. I was a player and a commodity and if I am not available to him, not in his thoughts, I am no use to him.
I didn't expect to be treated any differently, and I really mean that, but it did feel heartless at the time and it did hurt. But that's him and that's his way of dealing with players.
It is his job.
Hand on heart, I wasn't bitter about it because I consider myself very fortunate to have played for Ireland once – it was my dream as a kid – never mind more than 100 times, and with that record for consecutive appearances in competitive matches.
I am more than happy with that, believe me.
Back in September I was injured on the first day of training at Malahide as we were preparing for the games against Slovakia and Russia.
I'd been struggling with my back for a little while, but played through the injury, as you do.
I went through a few consultations with the doc and it was obvious I was not right and I wasn't going to be able to play so I had to get back to Derby for treatment.
The lads were still up at the training ground when I got back to the team hotel and I just decided to pack my stuff and get a taxi to the airport.
I knew then it would be my last trip with Ireland. I just knew it.
It felt strange to leave the hotel that day.
I felt low, rejected, dejected and I just didn't want to be around for the big farewell to the lads, or to make a fuss.
I didn't even have to leave a note for a room-mate thankfully because I was on my own as one of the older players. And I just wanted to get home.
I did get a few texts from the lads saying 'where are ya?', 'good luck', 'get yourself fit for next month'.
But deep down I knew my international career was over, even though I didn't know the extent of the injury at the time.
I did come over for the second leg against Estonia when qualification to Euro 2012 was confirmed.
Shay and a few of the lads asked me to come over but I was very reluctant because I really didn't feel a part of it as I hadn't actually played in the play-off matches.
I felt a bit of a fraud out there and went through the motions with the lap of honour.
I did have a few beers with the lads afterwards, which was great. But I just wanted to get away and left on my own first thing the next morning.
Looking back now, I am glad I went over and I am a little disappointed in myself that I couldn't enjoy it more and appreciate that I was part of it at the start of the campaign, and maybe I did play my part in Ireland qualifying.
I feel for Kevin because he was picked in the original squad and I am sure it never crossed his mind, until he was told by the manager, that he would not be going to Poland.
He must have thought only a major injury would prevent him going.
And he had proved his fitness so was no doubt looking forward to being in contention for some game time and just being a part of the adventure.
It will take him a while to get over this week and I can understand his feelings of betrayal, anger and hurt.
And he will want to be back with his kids and his family, because he will need that support. Then he needs to get back to pre-season with Wolves, and feeling better about himself.
It will come with time. I can understand that he wanted to go home and didn't want to go to Hungary tomorrow.
I would have done the same.
In fact I would have been on the first plane out of there.
I don't think I could have played in that friendly game against the Tuscan team that night and it says so much about Kevin Foley as a man and a footballer that he not only managed to play on Tuesday night, but wanted to start too.
It showed so much courage and shows what a good character and person he is.
Although he is upset right now, I hope he does play for Ireland again. He deserves to. It's no surprise to me that Giovanni has been agitated with the questioning of his decision since and that he can't understand the reaction among the press lads in Italy, or back home.
The moment he dismissed Kevin from the squad, he will have moved on. And he will expect everyone else to do the same.
All he is bothered about is dealing with the players he has in his power now. Ultimately, as players, the boys have to do the same.
I know that also sounds heartless and ruthless.
But you have to look after Number One as a player and a sportsman.
Of course it will have been upsetting, and all the lads will have really felt for Kevin because he is such a smashing lad, but they have to move on very quickly.
All they will really be bothered about is that they are in the squad. They cannot influence the manager's decision.
It's cruel but it's a fact.
I am pleased for Paul McShane, because I did feel he should have been in the original 23.
Lads like Paul, and Andy Keogh, have been part of the Trap era and after he'd talked about loyalty, I thought they would make the cut.
I really felt for Paul when he was left out and I am genuinely delighted that he will be out there. He can cover in a number of positions, he always gives his all for his country and it will be a great experience for him. I hope he enjoys it.
After we had played in the World Cup Finals in Japan and South Korea, we all felt we would qualify regularly for Euro and World Cup Finals.
But before we knew if four campaigns went by and we failed to qualify.
I can't believe we didn't do it. It is very disappointing although I still feel very fortunate to have played in a World Cup in 2002.
I would have loved to have played in another major tournament and part of me will be very jealous when I see the lads going out in Poznan on June 10.
The big mistake, for me, was losing Mick McCarthy. I would have loved Mick to have stayed and I think the majority of the squad did at that time too.
It's not just because he gave me a debut and I've built up a good relationship with him (or that he'll be a fellow columnist during these championships).
Mick is just a brilliant manager and his record with Ireland, and with Wolves and Sunderland prove it.
He knew how to handle players and is undoubtedly one of the best managers I have played under, if not the best.
But there was a 50-50 split in Ireland between Mick and Roy Keane and people were either with Mick or Roy, it was really as simple as that.
And I think Mick knew, especially after we lost heavily to Switzerland, that with all the hype still surrounding the team at the time that his position was untenable.
But I still would have loved him to stay and I sincerely hope he does return to manager Ireland again one day.
Of all the Irish candidates out there, he is still the best one. I certainly think we would have qualified for more tournaments if he had stayed in charge.
The cruellest one was missing out on the last World Cup of course, and losing to France thanks to Thierry Henry's handball.
We felt cheated in Paris that night and it was probably the biggest disappointment I've had in an Ireland shirt.
I think I was on record as saying at the time that I wouldn't watch the World Cup Finals in South Africa, but I didn't have much choice as I was working with RTE that summer.
And I'm a football fan anyway and I've loved watching the World Cup ever since I was kid.
The biggest disappointment as an Irish player was that France didn't turn up and the way they conducted themselves and the negativity surrounding the French team just added to the disappointment of not being there.
I am not sure what next season holds for me.
But I don't want to be hawking myself round clubs, going on trial, hoping to get a contract. If a definite offer comes along I will take it but I have to be realistic.
I haven't played for six months because of my back and I've reached a certain age... I'll finish my A licence at the end of the month.
I enjoyed my time as the reserves manager at Hull and I was really disappointed that Nick Barmby got the sack, because I saw a great potential there.
But I'll be doing the BBC radio and Daily Mail work out in Poland and I want to do it to the best of my ability.
I love watching football and enjoy the media work. I would love to have gone to another tournament because I know we missed out but I will just feel pride that some good mates are out there, and that I did play my part.
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
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