Juggling playing in the SSE Airtircity League while working full-time and raising a young family is hectic at the best of times. But Conan Byrne wouldn't have it any other way. The 31-year-old winger was many people’s man-of-the-match as St Patric
Juggling playing in the SSE Airtircity League while working full-time and raising a young family is hectic at the best of times.
But Conan Byrne wouldn't have it any other way.
The 31-year-old winger was many people’s man-of-the-match as St Patrick’s Athletic got their season up and running with their first victory of the campaign in beating Shamrock Rovers 2-1 last Saturday.
Saints travel to Dalymount Park this week for another Dublin derby against Bohemians with Byrne taking his busy lifestyle all in his stride.
Qualified as a schoolteacher before Christmas and now working full-time at Rush national school, Byrne has two young daughters with partner Amanda while balancing it all with his unquenchable desire to perform to his optimum in what is his 13th season in the League of Ireland.
“It’s been great,” Byrne says of the first few months in his new day job. “I’m really enjoying that. The principal is very supportive in terms of my football.
“But first and foremost it’s the teaching. It’s brilliant. I go training afterwards.
“I’ve two little girls (Kayla, 6, and Ellie, 3), so it’s absolutely flat out. But I’d rather that than chilling out and doing nothing.”
Last Monday was a prime example of a day in the life of the former UCD, Sporting Fingal and Shelbourne midfielder.
“From school it was straight to training,” explained Byrne. “I was then straight home without a shower to bring the little one to tennis. Then it was into town to collect Amanda.”
After putting the kids to bed, the amiable Byrne returned a call to do this interview … at 9.30pm.
“The word is relief. I think it was long overdue,” said Byrne of St Pat’s first win.
“We had played well in certain games, but it was just individual mistakes that cost us.
“Against Finn Harps, for example, we made two mistakes and got punished with two goals. In Drogheda there was another mistake.
“We’ve played well in some games but not as well as we would have hoped for collectively.
“We were delighted to get the three points against Shamrock Rovers. It gives the fans a lift. It gives us a lift.
“The confidence from that will be huge and we take that into Dalymount,” added Byrne who will aim to finally get his 100th league goal.
“Obviously, the milestone would be great. When you are playing you don't think of milestones. It’s when you finish it would be nice to look back on.
“I’ll be chuffed to get it. There are not many who have done it and not many midfielders. Hopefully, it comes this week.”
