While his performances can often leave something to be desired, James McClean's enthusiasm for Ireland and representing his country stands alone.
Having contributed vitally important goals throughout this ill-fated campaign, the highs of his match-winning goal against Wales were replaced tonight with a crushing low.
The first player to be interviewed post-match by Tony O'Donoghue, it is perhaps no surprise that on the back of tonight's 5-1 defeat to Denmark, McClean looked and sounded devastated:
I don't know what to say.
We got a great start ... ah, Tony, I don't know what to say.
An emotional individual who will unquestionably struggle with the reality that what may be his best opportunity to represent Ireland at the World Cup has now passed him by, McClean's response to tonight's events was telling.
Although he can look back on the campaign as a whole and take some pleasure in his involvement, it clearly stung McClean when he reluctantly announced, 'we let ourselves down.'
If you can bear it, you can watch the whole interview below.
"They were just better than us... I don't know what to say... I am just devastated" - Fair play to James McClean for fronting #Irlden pic.twitter.com/j2dJlQbg8g
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 14, 2017
