Jamie McGrath had no qualms about shelving his holiday plans after being asked to answer the Republic of Ireland's call.
The 29-year-old Hibernian midfielder was not included in Heimir Hallgrimsson's initial squad for Thursday's friendly against Qatar and the trip to Canada on 6 June, and was on holiday in Marbella when he was drafted in at short notice due to injuries.
McGrath was handed a 14th cap, his first since a Nations League win in Finland in October 2024, as Ireland beat the World Cup-bound Qataris 1-0 in Dublin, and he had no regrets over his disrupted summer plans.
He said: "I was actually on holiday Sunday night when the gaffer rang me to come in Monday. I'd only landed about an hour and just went out for dinner, and I had a nice call from the gaffer.
"Once I spoke to him - we have a great relationship, he's brought me in loads of times before - it was a no-brainer.
"I won't not come in unless my leg is hanging off, so it was a quick turnaround. I had other holidays planned this week - my girlfriend actually travelled to Nashville today on her own with two of our mates, so she was trying to get Wi-Fi on the plane to watch it today.
"You have 30 years when you retire to go on holiday. I'm just delighted to get the nod."
McGrath more than played his part as Ireland extended their recent run of good form, with the only defeat in their last seven games coming on penalties after March's 2-2 World Cup play-off semi-final draw with the Czech Republic in Prague.
They were quicker out of the blocks on Thursday and took a fifth-minute lead through skipper Nathan Collins' deft header, although their momentum was disrupted when Lincoln frontman Jack Moylan, who had provided the cross for his captain during an impressive 45-minute display, was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Jassem Gaber.
Hallgrimsson insisted referee Jamie Robinson, who also dismissed Qatar substitute Almoez Ali, had got it wrong on a night when VAR was not in operation, and McGrath was in complete agreement.
He said: "He didn't deserve that red. If there's VAR, there's no chance. It's probably a soft free-kick at best."
The game was played against the backdrop of mounting controversy over Ireland's forthcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel, with the game scheduled for October 4 in Dublin a particular focus, and protesters hurled tennis balls bearing the message "stop the game" onto the pitch on several occasions during the first half.
Veteran defender Seamus Coleman had expressed concern that Hallgrimsson and his players have been left in the firing line by those above them, and McGrath admitted the situation is difficult.
He said: "Seamus spoke really well about it the other day. We all don't agree with what's going on. Ideally it's not in our hands.
"It's not a nice situation to be put into. Like I said, personally, none of us agree with what's going on."
