Stephen Kelly says the players are devastated that one of their friends will not be travelling to Poland, writes KEITH DUGGANIn Montecatini, Italy

GIVEN THE natural disasters that have swept through northern Italy in the past 48 hours, it was difficult to strike the right tone about Kevin Foley’s lonely exit.

Before Tuesday night’s game in Pistoia, the Republic of Ireland team stood in silence for victim’s of the earthquake. At the same time, it was clear to everyone in the stadium that Foley’s world had temporarily collapsed and to run about the field with a leaden heart took considerable courage.

As Stephen Kelly pointed out after emerging from the small dressingrooms towards the team bus which was parked on residential street: “Anybody who is going to get that news . . . you would want to be inhuman not to feel remorse about it. But he went and played the second half and did well and proved why he has always been in the squad.”

Kelly’s remarks on what was a terrible day in Foley’s football life could not have been more perfectly chosen had he taken time to sit down and prepare them. Since the squad had been announced at noon yesterday, the 23 players named were torn between looking forward to what lies ahead and sympathising with Foley, who was planning on returning home.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s emotional recollection of his conversation with Foley was an illustration of the toll the day had taken. For Foley’s team-mates, there was little left to do but commiserate with the Wolves man.

“It was a really tough day,” Kelly acknowledged. “We got the news earlier on. What do you say? Your heart just goes out to him. He has been in for so long and to find out is very tough on him.

“Our thoughts go out to him now but it’s very hard to take in as a player . . . sometimes that happens in football and you get down.

“But I am sure he will bounce back because he is a great character and he is a confident lad, but I’m sure he is down so we are all rallying around him. He knows that this is not the end of it . . . I hope he has a good summer and we will be thinking about him when we are over there.”

So when the squad was announced, the natural inclination was to seek Foley out rather than congratulate one another.

“I just said, ‘Sorry Kevin’. What can you say? Just said that I was sorry and that I was disappointed for him.

“I knew any words from us were going to be empty so we just put our arms around him and said that hopefully he will continue on playing the way he does for his club and when he has performed for Ireland, he has performed admirably and hopefully he will come back a stronger player after this.”

The odd-man-out dilemma had been a source of intrigue during Monday’s training session, with several players still receiving treatment.

Paul McShane’s perceived versatility may have swung the decision rather than Foley’s niggling hamstring – which did not appear to impede him in Pistoia. So everyone knew there would be an element of roulette about the squad announcement.

“We have all been in this together for a long time. It is one of our friends now who has been let go so it is hard to take. But we knew the manager was going to be faced with this difficult situation going into the tournament because for most games, he picked 26, 27 players. And a lot of lads are left out.

“My room-mate, Liam Lawrence, isn’t here and we have been rooming for the last four years. So, you know, people you have built so many good relationships with have missed out and it is so unfortunate for Kevin to have got this far. And to be named in the original 23 probably makes it more hurtful to him,” added Kelly.

The Fulham player wore a strapping on his arm which is just a precaution since injuring his wrist playing for his club against Chelsea.

As Foley’s narrow elimination from the official squad illustrated, things can change fast during major tournaments.

“Stuff like this does bring you close together because you kind of realise how fragile it all is,” Kelly said. “Something like that can change the dynamic and we are a really, really close team.”

The 5-0 win over the Tuscan selection will hardly be one for Kelly’s scrapbook. It served its purpose: to give the squad a stretch and to string a few passes together. “A confidence booster,” as Kelly says. “We played some good football at times so it was enjoyable.”

Except, of course, for Foley, who cut a disconsolate and puzzled figure as he walked away while polite applause echoed around the stadium and Robbie Keane lifted a ceremonial cup.

It must have been a weird moment: to be playing on a team that you have, for now, being locked out of.

“It is something he will take on the chin and get on with his career,” Kelly said, his last word on the subject. “All we can do is say sorry and give him a pat on the back and that’s it really.”

“Anybody who is going to get that news . . . you would want to be inhuman not to feel remorse about it. But he went and played the second half and did well and proved why he has always been in the squad