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Foley feels 'betrayed' after axing from Euro 2012 squad

The Wolves defender insists he was fit to play against Bosnia but was told to rest until he reached the training camp in Italy.

IN HIS FINAL meaningful act for Ireland this summer Kevin Foley set Jonathan Walters up for a goal in a 5-0 exhibition win over a Tuscan XI.

Moments after the game he was met by a swathe of touring Irish journalists and asked to sum up his frayed emotions on the day he discovered he was dropped from the 23-man Euro 2012 squad.

The 27-year-old, relegated earlier in the season with Wolves, tried to compose himself but, once he began to speak, words and feelings gathered momentum.

“It is hard to take,” he began.

I feel sort of betrayed and I said that to him (Trapattoni). I don’t want to go into too much detail. I just feel betrayed. I have to look forward and go back to see my family and that’s it.

“I wanted to prove a point (tonight) – that I was fit to play.”

Foley told the huddle of reporters that, to his understanding, he could have trained last Thursday and Friday and featured in the Bosnia game.

“(Trapattoni) said there was no rush and we will wait to train in Italy,” Foley revealed, “so I felt great for two days in Italy and then all of a sudden he pulls me this morning and says ‘you are not in the squad’ and that is hard to take.” He added:

I have done everything I can but I was under the illusion that I’d time to train in Italy, play tonight and be in the squad.

Keane on the double against Tuscan XI

Trap names final Euros squad — McShane in, Foley out

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23 Comments
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    Mute Liam Sul
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    May 30th 2012, 9:11 AM

    Bit of a joke in fairness, Kevin Foley is a better defender than Paul McShane and a better central midfielder than Paul Green. He should be going to Poland

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    Mute long schlong
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    May 30th 2012, 6:08 PM

    I agree with you. But I rekon trap knows better. We’ll just have to trust him.

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    Mute Rory O'Dea
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    May 30th 2012, 9:39 AM

    Have to feel for Foley, as a specialist corner back he must have thought he was safe. If he is trully fit and Dunne/O’Shea/O’Dea/St.Ledger are all injured, surely one of them should have been sacrificed instead?! Either way by the sounds of the knocks being carried it looks like they’ll all be fit enough to play.

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    Mute Ronan Mc Namara
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    May 30th 2012, 10:26 AM

    WTF your suggesting Foley for Dunne!!!!

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    May 30th 2012, 12:15 PM

    A corner back? its not gaa. The term is full back.

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    Mute Rory O'Dea
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    May 30th 2012, 12:20 PM

    Eh no, I suggested leaving out injured players instead of dropping fit ones to cover them injured ones. Dunne is clearly fit if he’s played a few games for Villa and Ireland in the past month.

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    Mute Michael J Hartnett
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    May 30th 2012, 11:07 AM

    I think we should accept Foleys disappointment & commend him for his passion in wanting to play for Ireland. He should be remembered for the fact he wanted to play & how disappointed he was being dropped.

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    Mute Cillian Lynch
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    May 30th 2012, 12:51 PM

    I hope to God a situation doesn’t arise where McShane has to fill in at centre back. The thought is horrifying

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    Mute Ronan Mc Namara
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    May 30th 2012, 9:17 AM

    Kevin Foley dosent play center back where their is injury worries, simples. Mc Shane is not international class but will always give every thing he’s got.

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    Mute Paul Ryan
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    May 30th 2012, 9:31 AM

    Yeah Trap used that excuse already, McShane can cover for O’Dea, Dunne, O’Shea and St. Ledger who are all carrying knocks. Hasn’t he been using Stephen Kelly for that reason for the past 2 years? How many utility men does he need?

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    Mute Ronan Mc Namara
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    May 30th 2012, 10:00 AM

    Stephen Kelly is not a center half, plenty of cover for full backs already. Green wouldnt be in the squad only for Faheys injury. Mountain over a mole hill, same thing happened to Gary Waddock before. Wont even be remembered this time next week.

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    Mute Mick 'The Bull' Daly
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    May 30th 2012, 9:29 AM

    McShane is a joke,so us Paul Green,with a bit of luck they both get injured

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    Mute Wolfgang Hanratty
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    May 30th 2012, 9:33 AM

    Trappattoni is a joke! They play crap soccer, brutal actually. I hope it backfires on him.

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    Mute paudy o brien
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    May 30th 2012, 11:31 AM

    Here you go Mr wolfgang troll. Here a cookie ….you must be starving

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    Mute paudy o brien
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    May 30th 2012, 1:16 PM

    nom nom nom

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    Mute Wolfgang Hanratty
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    May 30th 2012, 1:23 PM

    Enjoying the humble pie are you. Go on get!

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    Mute paudy o brien
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    May 30th 2012, 1:26 PM

    I seen people set up fake Twitter accounts but never seen anyone set up a fake Facebook before .9 out of 10 for commitment

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    Mute Wolfgang Hanratty
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    May 30th 2012, 1:42 PM

    Quit your trolling and creeping around you creature of the night!

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    Mute Vincent Bickerstaffe
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    May 30th 2012, 9:33 AM

    yes mcshane isn’t great but the selection is the managers choice, it not an off the wall thought its a structure trap want to use… been dropped obviously leave him sour.. next time…

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    Mute Andrew Clavin
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    May 30th 2012, 12:11 PM

    trap shouldn’t treat players like that.
    mcshane was at fault for henry’s goal in the playoff..simple as that.
    he struggles to get in at hull city,while foley has been playing at wolves!!
    trap must have seen something at training that he liked about mcshane,but training is not a game

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    Mute Frank Faldo
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    May 30th 2012, 11:22 AM

    Foley was betrayed he gave great service to Ireland then he is treated badly.This will come back to haunt Trap.

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    Mute Ronan Mc Namara
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    May 30th 2012, 12:45 PM

    LOL, I know want you mean if Foley was in the squad we would have won Euro 2012!! Trap be prepared to be haunted LOL!!

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    Mute Stephen Madden
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    May 30th 2012, 3:49 PM

    Very harsh on Foley, but I can understand Traps predicament. If O’Shea and St Ledger are injured he has little choice. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Foley back in the squad. If O’Shea doesn’t make it by Monday’s game against Hungry – Foley is back in.

    By the way, Paul Green is only in because Fahey got injured and McCarthy can’t play with his family situation. He’s a very lucky man. Cleary Trap’s 5th or 6th choice central midfielder.

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