Soccer

Mark Sykes gets first Ireland call-up after great run of Oxford form

Oxford United's Mark Sykes has got his first Ireland call-up
Oxford United's Mark Sykes has got his first Ireland call-up Oxford United's Mark Sykes has got his first Ireland call-up

FORMER Northern Ireland U21 ace Mark Sykes has won his first international call-up to the Republic of Ireland due to his “sustained period of consistent play” at Oxford United this season.

After declaring for the south 19 months ago, the Ormeau Road man was yesterday named in Stephen Kenny’s 25-man squad for next week’s friendly games against Belgium and Lithuania in Dublin.

The classy midfielder has been in outstanding form for the League One side, scoring eight goals and claiming six assists as the U’s push for a promotion play-off spot.

On the cusp of winning a senior international call-up with Northern Ireland in August 2020, Sykes rejected the offer and announced he wanted to play for the Republic of Ireland.

In an interview with The Irish News last April, Sykes explained that he'd enjoyed playing for the north’s U21s but the emotional pull of playing for the south was too great.

“I was never asked to represent the Republic of Ireland at any age level,” he said in the interview. “It never came up. I’ve never had anything against Northern Ireland and I’ve said that openly. I really, really enjoyed what I did there.

"It was just the opportunity of representing the Republic of Ireland at senior level. It was something I’d love to do and I know if it happened it would be my proudest moment in football.”

Following his change of allegiances, the 24-year-old former Glenavon player was bitterly criticised on social media.

Sykes was placed on standby for the Republic’s summer camp last season but was never called upon.

Twenty-four-year-old Connor Ronan, who played for Kenny at U21 level, also received his first senior call-up.

On-loan at St Mirren from Wolverhampton, Ronan has been added to the manager’s strike options alongside Callum Robinson, Will Keane, Tory Parrott, Scott Hogan and Chiedozie Ogbene, while there is no place for the in-form Michael Obafemi of Swansea City.