Being dropped from an Ireland squad for the first time in years was hard enough for Kevin Doyle to take, harder still to find out via a text message after Wolves’ win over Bristol on Saturday.
Doyle’s omission for the crucial double-header against Sweden and Austria was the biggest surprise when the provisional squad was pared down to 23 on Saturday, particularly considering his service in a green jersey in over 50 appearances in the last seven years.
Derby striker Conor Sammon was chosen in his stead despite a somewhat unconvincing debut against Poland last month and while Doyle was understandably disappointed to be left out, his mood wasn’t helped by the fact that he learned the news in a text message he saw on his phone following Wolves’ victory over Bristol City, a game in which Doyle captained the side and scored the winner.
“I was very disappointed to come in after the game to a text message saying I wasn’t to travel to Ireland to join up with the squad,” Doyle told the Wolves website.
“I have been in every squad when I have been fit for seven-and-a-half years so it was disappointing. I thought I might get a phone call but it wasn’t to be and I haven’t spoken to the manager about it.
“Maybe he will speak to me about it in the future and for now I just have to get on with it.
“I’ve been in squads for seven-and-a-half years and certainly never took it for granted and have always found it a great pleasure and privilege to play for my country.
“I feel I have always given 100 per cent in terms of showing the right attitude and dedication with Ireland in every training session and every match as I do here at Wolves.
“I will carry on doing that and hopefully get another opportunity to do that again in the future. It was disappointing to get the text message telling me not to travel particularly after such a good game with Wolves and you quickly go from one extreme to another.
“But that’s football – I’m not going to cry about it and just get on with it and hopefully get back in the squad as soon as I can.”
With doubts over the fitness of Jonathan Walters, Doyle could yet be called upon over the next week and whenever he does get back, whether it’s in Stockholm on Friday, the Aviva a few days later or a little further down the road, he’ll certainly be determined to prove a point.
