Meyler enjoying the ‘miracle’
Such is the firmness of Meyler’s grip that one of the hacks is almost shaken off his feet.
“That’s a Corkman’s handshake,” beams the newcomer to the Irish squad with a broad smile.
Meyler had until now chosen to ignore the limelight which goes with the territory of being a top-flight footballer, sticking to the advice offered by an old sage that he do his talking on the pitch.
Over the next half hour, however, the 23-year-old breezes through a variety of topics with the candour akin to the fellow Leesider Roy Keane who took a punt in 2008 by signing the rookie from Cork City.
He’s every reason to be upbeat though, as this week’s call-up for the World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan and the friendly against Oman had been two years overdue.
His stunning breakthrough Premier League campaign for Sunderland in 2010 was supposed to conclude with his senior Ireland debut in the summer friendlies only for the first of his two cruciate ligament injuries to strike.
Meyler could afford to feel unlucky, given his plight yet he’s not to type to wallow and instead considers it a “miracle” that he recovered from each operation almost a year ahead of the comeback date estimated by the specialists.
Even at his lowest point, when the first comeback lasted only five games and he was staring into another stretch in isolation, the support he received from him parents John and Stella inspired him to believe weeks like this in the Irish camp wouldn’t pass him by.
“You learn about mental toughness from suffering setbacks like that,” he reflects. “You have to work harder than everyone else just to get that bit of fitness. I went to America for two weeks and worked on the strength of my knees and they couldn’t be stronger at the moment thanks to all the medical staff at Sunderland.
“There was always that fear (about my career). The talk to me was that the damage could have been that bad, that I mightn’t have been back for about two years. So to come back in nine months was a miracle.
“When I returned from the first injury, the club banned me from tackling and I used to get fined every time I tackled, which cost me quite a few bob.
“The way I play is that I tackle all the time, so it’s right in the back of my head now. It’s been so long since those injuries happened.”
Though Meyler has started only one league game at Sunderland since Martin O’Neill took over last season, he’s regarded highly enough for the manager to have rebuffed a loan approach last week from his predecessor Steve Bruce, now in charge of Championship club Hull City.
Saturday’s draw at Swansea City saw the Irishman get his most Premier League action so far this term as a first-half substitute and he’s prepared to battle for his place at the Stadium of Light.
“I’ve never once thought about of leaving Sunderland,” he states without a hint of hesitation.
“I’ve a fantastic manager in Martin O’Neill and I’m hoping he can improve me as a player to get me to the highest level possible.”
All the indications point to James McCarthy edging Meyler out as Glenn Whelan’s midfield partner in Kazakhstan on Friday, although Giovanni Trapattoni is renowned for basing his selection on how players perform during training in the run-up to games.
Either way, he’s likely to have his Dad and biggest critic, former Wexford and Kerry hurling boss John, watching from the stands at the Astana Arena. Meyler says: “To be here in the Irish squad, after the two years I’ve had, is unbelievable. And to come back for the World Cup qualifier on Friday would be brilliant. If I make the bench, I’d be delighted.
“My father drove me here and there to games when I was younger so getting his approval after games was the main thing and still is.
“He’s been my toughest critic since I was little. He’s only ever told me twice he was proud, the first time was for the Sunderland reserves against Newcastle reserves and then when I came back from my injury the second time. To get his approval is tough.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if my Dad went on Friday. He supported me with the Irish U21s wherever they played across Europe and all over England.
“You never know. I could get a text before the game from him — ‘one ticket please.” Now that would really cap a wonderful week.
His GAA background
“I was asked to play for Cork City against Sunderland but it was same night as I had a match with the St. Michael’s minor football team. I had to pick one or the other so I went with soccer. Roy Keane was manager of Sunderland and I ended signing for them. I liked playing soccer, Gaelic and hurling and even played at minor level for Cork. I had to go one way or the other, chose soccer and it’s turned out okay. My father is involved massively with hurling at home and I’d always watch Cork games. My buddies play for Blackrock and I go see them play. If my Dad had his way, I’d be playing for him but I plan to be playing soccer until I can’t walk any more.
Roy Keane
“I grew up watching Roy play and obviously he was a big factor in why I played soccer. With him signing me, it was fantastic and gave me a great opportunity with Sunderland. He took me aside and helped me improve as a player and taught me a lot. I am so grateful to him. He did sign me so hopefully he still does like me a bit. Talking to him and Niall Quinn after the cruciate injuries was good because they’d both been through the same thing.”
Giovanni Trapattoni
“I have to keep working hard and make an impression on the manager here to get into the team. After I got injured the first time, the FAI invited me over for a game (against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium), which was nice. The Irish doctors and physios kept in touch with Sunderland, so it showed they cared about me.”
The ascent of Sunderland’s James McClean
“Since James came in from Derry he has been absolutely terrific. He was fantastic when he started playing under the manager and has done so well and got some vital goals for us last season and two last week against Morecambe.
“He fully deserves everything he has got. It’s fantastic that he’s playing for Ireland and it is people like him who show it can be done and that’s the plan I have.”
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