• Euro 2012

Foley feels betrayed over omission

ESPN staff
May 30, 2012
Kevin Foley puts his hands on his head © PA Photos
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Kevin Foley claims he feels betrayed over his omission from the Ireland squad for Euro 2012.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni made the "difficult" call to select Paul McShane ahead of Foley - citing fitness concerns as the reason behind his decision.

Foley failed to train last week in a bid to shake off his hamstring niggle. He claims he was under no pressure to train, insisting he was told he would be judged on his efforts at the team's camp in Italy this week. But he was pulled aside by Trapattoni and told he had not made the final 23, a decision which left the Wolves man stunned.

"It's hard to take," Foley told the Irish Times. "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."

Foley featured in Ireland's friendly win over a Tuscan XI on Tuesday night and following the game he said: "I wanted to prove a point [tonight] - that I was fit to play. Because from what I understood I could have trained last week, Thursday, Friday and been involved in the game.

"He (Trapattoni) said there was no rush and we will wait to train in Italy. 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.

"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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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