Soccer

Mark Sykes eager for more game-time with Republic of Ireland against Latvia

Mark Sykes during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown on Monday       Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Mark Sykes during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown on Monday Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Mark Sykes during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown on Monday Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

A DECIDEDLY balmy March afternoon in Abbotstown and it’s the first proper chance for Ormeau Road man Mark Sykes to meet the Irish media after declaring for the Republic of Ireland over two-and-a-half years ago.

The in-form Bristol City wide man hasn’t a lot of game-time to show for it, however, after he stepped away from Northern Ireland in the summer of 2020.

Just five minutes, in fact, against friendly opponents Malta last November.

The whole hoo-ha over his decision to quit the north and declare for the south is well behind him now – but he did acknowledge Roy Keane who commented in a TV interview that it was a brave decision on behalf of the Belfast man to make the move.

“Listen, there are many a thing that people said and it’s a nice thing, I suppose," said Sykes.

“Yes, brave in a way as there may be a bit of backlash and people not thinking it was the right thing to do, but I’ve said in many interviews now that it’s not them who is living my life.

“I’m out there putting the sacrifice in and hard work in and I made that decision knowing full well what was going to happen.

“I knew it was going to be a difficult decision because I feel like if I was to stay, which is something I wouldn't have wanted to do, my foot was already in the door [with Northern Ireland] and never being around the Ireland set-up. But thankfully now with club performances I feel I have deserved my chance here and hopefully this week I can get some more minutes.”

The former Glenavon player was called up to the Ireland senior squad for the first time a year ago for games against Belgium and Lithuania, but didn’t feature.

He was left out of the next squad for summer Nations League games against Ukraine (twice) and Scotland – but his good club form has kept him in Stephen Kenny’s eye-line.

Sykes is likely to add to those five minutes he got in Malta against Latvia in Dublin tomorrow night and might even nudge his way into Kenny’s starting line-up, even though more eyes are on Ireland’s opening 2024 Euro qualifier with France in the Irish capital next Monday.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on last summer’s squad, Sykes said he’d no divine right to be selected for Ireland every time.

“I don’t know during that [first] camp, maybe I wasn’t playing so well or wasn’t playing at club level,” he said.

“I’m not going to take anything so personal, unless I fully believe that I should be in every time, which I don’t. And I think that stands for everybody.

“If somebody is playing well at their club, why not integrate them into the national team? I know I did miss out on the last one but, again, when this one passes, the more good performances I put in at club level, the higher my profile becomes and then Stephen can maybe keep adding me in.”

Mark Sykes has been excellent for Championship club Bristol City this season
Mark Sykes has been excellent for Championship club Bristol City this season Mark Sykes has been excellent for Championship club Bristol City this season

Mid-table Bristol City have hit a sticky patch of late – losing their last two Championship games – but Sykes’s form since the turn of the year has been really impressive.

Describing his Ireland debut as a “dream come true”, the 25-year-old would have liked the opportunity to come through the FAI ranks as a youngster, but says there was no outlet for him in the north.

“I don’t know if there is anything set up in the north for young lads to come through in the FAI. For me, it was always the Northern Ireland set-up was there when I was younger. And to be honest, I don’t mind saying it, I wasn’t the best player when I was younger. I wasn’t top of the tree.

“I wasn’t always getting picked. If I was the best player, someone might have come and had a look.

“I didn’t move to England until I was 20 or 21, and I believe the FAI had an interest. And for me it was unbelievable that they did.

“To come on the pitch [in Malta], I know it was only a few minutes and it wasn’t the biggest game in the world but for me it felt unbelievable.”

The 25-year-old probably felt more proud for his family that he’d achieved a life-long dream – and being the first Belfast man since Belfast Celtic legend Jackie Vernon played for the Republic some 80 years ago.

“People in the area were wishing me well all week. When I went back home my primary school had a ‘homecoming’, as such, for me. It makes me feel proud to do something so good for the people back home, being the first person from Belfast in a long time to do such a thing. I was well pleased but hopefully there’s more to come.”

Sykes received plenty of exposure when FA Cup minnows Bristol City put it up to Man City for most of their fifth round clash last month before going down 3-0.

Playing in a number of different positions against Pep Guardiola’s star-studded City side, Sykes said: “It’s just on a different level. As soon as you switch off, you get punished.

“I played right back for half of that game. I haven’t played there a lot in my career and you’re constantly aware of what’s going on around you.

“Man City’s coaching is obviously top quality, the players are worth millions and millions. I think they’d £380 million on the bench. That’s the step up in class. We went into the game with no pressure, just go out and express ourselves, enjoy ourselves as much as possible. We also want to put in a good performance and I think we did alright.”