Ireland midfielder Matt Holland has admitted he and his team-mates were relieved when Roy Keane was sent home earlier this week.
Keane was ordered to pack his bags after an amazing verbal bust-up with manager Mick McCarthy at Ireland's World Cup training base in Saipan.
The Manchester United star launched a fierce attack on McCarthy and the team's preparations at a team meeting called by the manager to clear the air after comments made by the player in a newspaper.
Holland wrote in his column in the Independent on Sunday: "Never have I witnessed such a foul-mouthed tirade as Keane subjected the manager Mick McCarthy to during that fateful team meeting.
"It started at 7.30pm and most of the players assumed it was about travel arrangements so we all sat around chatting, completely unaware of the volcanic eruption that Keane was going to inflict upon us.
"Keane refused to apologise for his comments. In fact he stood by them and then launched an abusive attack on the manager. It was absolutely extraordinary to listen to, and like the rest of the squad, I was stunned.
"McCarthy tried to appeal to Keane and reminded him of the times he had defended him in public or helped him, but Keane continued his barrage, leaving the manager absolutely no option but to send him home.
"Steve Staunton described it as "overstepping the mark", but that does not do it justice. Keane leapt over the mark in a way that would have done Bob Beamon proud.
"Now the saga's over there is a definite sense of relief at Keane's departure. He had been his usual brooding self since our arrival in Saipan. From the very start he moaned about well, everything really."
Ipswich midfielder Holland admits however that Ireland have lost their best player as they prepare for the world's biggest tournament.
McCarthy's side begin their Group E campaign against Cameroon next Saturday and Holland feels his side would have had a better chance of success with Keane on board.
He added: "Now, here we are, a matter of days away from the tournament beginning and our talisman, our one player who would get in a World XI, abuses the manager, the players and - I think in time he will come to realise - himself.