THE 24th MAN: A devastated Colin Healy set off on a holiday to Lanzarote with his girlfriend yesterday afternoon just hours after he heard the news that Ireland captain, Roy Keane, had been sent home from Saipan, writes Olivia Kelleher

The 22-year-old Celtic player was drafted in to the Irish squad last Tuesday night when Keane originally threatened to leave Saipan only to have his hopes dashed when the Manchester United skipper agreed to stay on with the team.

Healy, who is a native of Ballincollig, Co Cork, declined manager Mick McCarthy's request to join the squad as a non-playing member saying he didn't want to be the 24th man.

Then as the player packed his bags to go on a well-deserved break yesterday he was told Keane had been sent home. This prompted speculation that Healy would be called up to join the squad, but as the FIFA deadline on submission of players' names has passed this does not appear possible. The midfielder said he hasn't heard anything from the Irish boss in the wake of his decision to send Keane home. "I have been told not to say anything. I haven't heard from Mick and I don't know what is happening."