Shane Long reacted like a true friend and teammate to Seamus Coleman on Friday night.
As other’s concerned themselves with recriminations and others had to look away, Long knelt beside the stricken Coleman and tried his best to comfort him.
Images of Long hugging the Ireland captain as he was placed on a stretcher were a heartening moment amid the gloom surrounding a ferocious Neil Taylor challenge that snapped his leg.
"I didn't think it was a yellow" https://t.co/TSHBfOs3NA
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) March 26, 2017
Speaking to reporters after the 0-0 draw at the Aviva Stadium, Long revealed the thought process behind his actions.
“It’s not nice. I was trying to comfort Seamus on the pitch,” he said.
“He is loved by everyone, he’s obviously a great player and he is going to be a big loss.
“I was trying to comfort him, he was in a lot of pain.
Got a lot of time for Shane Long hugging Coleman when in desperate need. Wonderful act of friendship. #EFC #Coleman pic.twitter.com/xtYV0QsPnP
— Royal Blue Everton (@RoyalBlueEFC) March 24, 2017
“It was a bad challenge, a bad injury, I just tried to settle him and relax him and it’s not nice to see anyone go through that.
“Everyone loves Seamus and it’s hard to see when he goes down but I am sure he will come back fitter and stronger.”
Coleman is definitely out for the rest of the season and is unlikely to even return in time for Ireland’s double-header of World Cup qualifier fixtures in September.
Long and his teammates will be trying everything in their power to ensure Ireland are right in the qualification picture when their captain eventually returns.
