“Janey Mac, how did I miss that?”
Sinclair Armstrong gave an emotional and funny interview after a “whirlwind few days” that saw him earn his first senior cap and also score for the u21s.
The QPR striker made his debut for Stephen Kenny’s side against Holland when the team were chasing an equaliser and only minutes were left on the clock.
Just two days later he was leading the line for the u21s as they played San Marino, winning the game by a comfortable 3-0 margin.
The 20-year-old assisted the first goal for Rocco Vata, and then got on the scoresheet himself with the third and final goal of the match.
“It’s been a whirlwind few days,” Armstrong said, in conversation the RTÉ Soccer panel post-game.
“On Friday morning, I’m thinking I’m going to play my first game with the u21s. And next thing, the gaffer Mr Crawford tells me, you’re going to the senior team.
“Very emotional on the journey up to Castleknock. It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, to play with the Ireland senior team. It’s a dream come true.”
Armstrong terrorised the San Marino defence for most of the match, but before he got his goal, he missed some chances and in his refreshing post-match interview, he wasn’t afraid to make light of that.
“Listen, I was trying my best to get myself in these positions to score, and it obviously wasn’t happening in the first half, but I kept going.”
When the panel showed Armstrong one of his misses from close range, the young striker replied laughing: “Janey Mac, how did I miss that?”
“But listen, I just had to keep getting myself in the right positions, and that goal there, I would take anything I can get.”
When watching the goal that did go in, they were particularly keen to get his take on his celebration, because the QPR man went for the classic knee slide, only to fall flat on his face.
Sinclair Armstrong reflects on a "dream" week that saw him make his senior debut and score on his competitive debut for Ireland U21s in their 3-0 win over San Marino
📱 Match report: https://t.co/IokHflr93K pic.twitter.com/kDfNPZKwyJ— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 12, 2023
“This is horror man. What is that?” laughed Armstrong. “Listen a goal is a goal, so I’ll take what I can get.”
The Dublin native, who began his career at Cherry Orchard before appearing at the FAI Cup at age 15 with Shamrock Rovers, has made a strong start to the season with QPR, scoring his first goal for the club in their away win over Cardiff City.
“Last season just wasn’t my season. I couldn’t get a run of games. I couldn’t score any goals,” Armstrong said.
“Over that summer break, I had to train as hard as I can and come back with a new mentality to go, listen, it’s every man for themselves.
“I want to play in the Championship, I want to play for QPR. That’s exactly what I’m doing. Four games in and I have two goal contributions.
“I know by my standards, that’s not enough. I want to keep playing games, keep scoring a few goals for QPR. Getting my senior debut for the Republic of Ireland, and scoring tonight in Cork is only going to instil more confidence into me.
“I don’t want to be a guy that just runs in behind, like a sprint merchant. I want to bring other stuff into my game.
“I’m still young. I’m 20 years of age, I feel like I have a lot to give.”
In what has been a disappointing week for Ireland, at least the u21s and Sinclair in particular, have given the Irish fans a glimmer of hope for the future.
Related links:
- Ireland vs Netherlands: Player ratings and live updates from Euro 2024 qualifier
- FAI reportedly line up Lee Carsley to replace Stephen Kenny as ex-Liverpool boss discussed
- Richard Dunne slams Stephen Kenny’s approach as Euro 2024 hopes fade
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