Sammie Szmodics didn’t expect to be listed among Ireland’s late bloomers - but the Blackburn Rovers man is determined to make up for lost time.
Szmodics is expected to make his international bow in Saturday’s friendly against Belgium, just six months shy of his 29 birthday. He joins a long list of Ireland stars who arrived late onto the international stage.
Szmodics addressed that on Tuesday when he said: “I was disappointed because the personal reason was only over that October camp. It was something, family comes first, I’m not going to speak about the issue. I had to go home, I had to get back.” “It doesn't matter what age you are at your debut, it's a proud moment, hopefully I can sit here in years to come with many more caps for Ireland.”
Jonathan Walters had been capped at Under-21 level, but didn’t win his first senior cap until November 2010 against Norway, when he was 27. He ended his international career with 14 goals in 57 appearances.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hungary manager criticises Sammie Szmodics with Blackburn forward in Ireland contentionJohn O’Shea names first and only squad as Ireland interim manager on Thursday ahead of friendlies with Belgium and Switzerland
Read more »
Sammie Szmodics named in Ireland squad for March friendliesBlackburn Rovers player is the leading scorer in the Championship this season with 21
Read more »
Ireland’s Sammie Szmodics: ‘Things that have happened in the past are in the past’Championship’s top scorer looking forward to a chance to impress after previous squad inclusions were hampered by injuries and passport issues
Read more »
Sammie Szmodics: ‘I am fully focused on playing for Ireland’Blackburn Rovers player describes comments by Hungary manager Marcoo Rossi as ‘all nonsense really’
Read more »
Mary Hannigan: Winning takes care of everything for IrelandPromotion and relegation in GAA leagues; wacky FA Cup tie; interview with Sammie Szmodics
Read more »
‘Fully focused on Ireland’ - 5 takeaways from Szmodics’ first Irish interviewBlackburn Rovers star Sammie Szmodics faced the Irish media on Tuesday afternoon for the first time - and he used the opportunity to hammer home a few points.
Read more »