I almost quit squad - McAteer
The Sunderland ace considered walking out on the team after being told the disappointing news by Mick McCarthy.
The former Liverpool ace, who played an instrumental role in Ireland's qualification to the finals, admitted he was deeply upset at missing the game last Wednesday.
McAteer also revealed that he lied about his fitness to start the opening game against Cameroon.
The all-action midfielder picked up a knee injury in a warm-up game a week before the finals began, but he started the game against Cameroon last weekend.
McAteer struggled in the game and came off at half-time of the 1-1 draw and McCarthy dropped him for the Germany clash as he did not think he was fit enough.
The 30-year-old was ready to quit the squad after being left out of the Germany game before realising he could not leave the side in the lurch.
"The knock-out blow was delivered in my room," said McAteer. "I sat on the bed, as sure as death that it was coming and yet was totally unprepared when it did.
"I heard Mick say 'you're not firing on all cylinders. I don't think you're fit. I'm sticking with the team that started the second half against Cameroon'. But everything after that was a blur. I was absolutely devastated.
"I sat on the bed and cried like a baby. I was so upset, just couldn't see past myself. The pain turned to anger. I considered picking up the telly and throwing it out the window. I thought about smashing everything in the room.
"Some men turn into monsters when they are angry at home; I turn into a cleaning freak. If I'm arguing with Lisa (his wife), and it's a really bad argument, I'll take out the hoover and attack the carpets. I'll wash the dishes, polish the furniture and sweep out the garage. Is it any wonder she provokes me?
"In the morning I was still very angry and in 'cleaning freak' mode when I opened my eyes. I made the bed and washed the sink and cleaned the floor. And I had just started packing, for no particular reason, when Mick Byrne, the physio, paid a call. He asked me why I was packing my bags, and I just said instinctively, 'because I'm going home'.
"I felt like a wounded animal. I thought about the goal against Holland and the penalty against Iran and how hard I had tried to get Ireland to the World Cup finals. That a lot of other people had also played a part didn't register at first."
