Mark Sykes insists it has been a ‘dream come true’ to represent the Republic of Ireland and has no concerns about a backlash in Northern Ireland.
He made his senior debut against Malta in November, becoming the first Belfast man to represent the Republic since Jackie Vernon and Jimmy McAlinden in 1946.
And the Bristol City winger is now pushing for a first start in Wednesday’s friendly clash with Latvia at Aviva Stadium, ahead of Monday’s big Euros qualifier with France.
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When Bristol City played Manchester City in the FA Cup last month, Roy Keane was on pundit duty for ITV and said Sykes had made a “brave” decision declaring for Ireland.
The 25-year-old had won 11 caps for Northern Ireland’s Under-21s between 2016 and 2018 and was named in three senior squads under Michael O'Neill, but never played.
He was determined to play for the Boys in Green at senior level and officially switched in August 2020, earning a first call-up under Stephen Kenny for the Belgium and Lithuania friendlies this time last year.
Quizzed about Keane’s comments, Sykes said today: "I did see it. Listen, there are many things that people say and it's a nice thing I suppose.
“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.
“I made that decision knowing full well what is going to happen.
“(Making my debut in Malta) was unbelievable for me and a dream come true to represent Ireland.
“I know it was only a few minutes and wasn’t the biggest game in the world, but for me it felt unbelievable.”
Sykes is from the Ormeau Road in south Belfast and he revealed his debut cap was a source of local celebration.
“People in the area were wishing me well,” he added. “When I went back, my primary school had a homecoming for me.
“It makes me feel proud to do something so good for the people back home. I was well pleased but hopefully there’s more to come.
“If there was (any backlash) I haven’t seen anything but there shouldn’t be any backlash anyway. An Irish player playing for Ireland, I don’t see the problem. For me it was all positive.”
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