Mick McCarthy named his 23-man squad for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup finals campaign and admitted it was both an "enjoyable and disappointing" experience.
The straight-talking boss stayed true to his word and has kept faith with the players who booked the Republic's place in Japan and South Korea in their amazing qualifying campaign.
Unfortunately that meant heartbreak for five young players, who had harboured hopes that McCarthy might take a gamble on them.
Southampton midfielder Rory Delap, Tottenham utility player Gary Doherty, Celtic midfielder Colin Healy, Millwall's Stephen Reid and Hibernian goalkeeper Nicky Colgan were the unlucky ones, but all have time on their side and are sure to figure in Ireland's future.
McCarthy said: "This is the most enjoyable squad I have ever had to name. But there are always a couple of players you leave out who you have to tell, and it is a disappointment having to do that.
"It is not easy having to tell players they are not coming, and I rang those five players yesterday to tell them. It was a cold way to do it, but it was the only way.
"Of course they were all disappointed, because they all wanted to go, but they wished me all the best and I know they want us to do as well as possible.
"I also told them all that if I had any injury problems in the next couple of weeks then I may need to call on them."
The 23 players who McCarthy has included in the Republic of Ireland World Cup squad are:
Goalkeepers: S Given (Newcastle), Dean Kiely (Charlton), Alan Kelly (Blackburn) Defenders: S Staunton (Aston Villa), S Finan (Fulham), K Cunningham (Wimbledon), G Breen (Coventry), I Harte (Leeds), G Kelly (Leeds), R Dunne (Manchester City), A O'Brien (Newcastle) Midfielders: J McAteer (Sunderland), Roy Keane (Manchester United), M Kinsella (Charlton), M Holland (Ipswich), K Kilbane (Sunderland), M Kennedy (Wolves), L Carsley (Everton) Forwards: R Keane (Leeds), N Quinn (Sunderland), C Morrison (Crystal Palace), D Duff (Blackburn), D Connelly (Wimbledon).
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