England internationals Russell Martin and Scott Kirkwood have earned praise for putting Sussex schools football back on the map.

Martin made his debut for English Schools under-18s in a 1-0 defeat against the Republic of Ireland at Northampton, while Kirkwood has returned from a successful tour of the United States with English Colleges under-19s.

Ian Hutchings, their Sussex Schools' under-19s manager, said: "They are ambassadors for the county. It has been a few years since we have had a representative pulling on an England shirt and now we've got two at the same time.

"People will sit up and take notice of Sussex players because they've seen how good Russell and Scott are. It shows Sussex is not a footballing backwater.

"Russell and Scott are talented footballers with great attitudes and have made a big difference to the Sussex side.

"We would have had a good chance of winning the national title if we'd have been able to play them together more often. Russell had to miss our qualifier for the national finals because of his England commitments and we lost 3-2 to Kent."

Hutchings was in the 6,000 crowd at Northampton.

He said: "Russell did well. I thought all England's best moments involved him."

Martin failed with a penalty 20 minutes from time but Vic Bragg, the Crawley teacher and Albion coach who manages the English Schools' team, told him not to worry.

Bragg said: "A lot of the players were nervous but Russell did okay and at least he was brave enough to take the penalty."

Martin, 18, a Varndean College pupil, refused to let the spot-kick miss and result dampen the experience against the Irish.

The former Albion youth player said: "I was gutted with the penalty at first but the keeper made a good save.

It was a wonderful occasion for me overall. I thought I had a reasonable game.

"It hit home that I was playing for England when the national anthem played and, with 15 family and friends in the crowd, I felt so proud."

Kirkwood helped English Colleges draw against United States University Leagues sides Emery (2-2) in Atlanta and Furman (3-3) in South Carolina and sat out a 5-2 victory against Providence because of injury.

The Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College pupil, 18, who played against Northern Ireland and Wales recently, said: "I loved the trip.

"Technically we were the better team in the first two matches but physically they were strong and I got knocked up in the air a few times.

"I struggled a bit with the heat in the first game but it was cooler against Furman and that game went better for me.

"There was a bit of razzmatazz and when I made one of our goals in the second game the assist was announced over the tannoy."

The midfielders developed through Brighton Boys and hope to become professional footballers.

Martin plays for Ryman League Lewes and Kirkwood for runaway Dr Marten premier leaders Crawley.