ROVERS RETURN
Byrne says move home was just the tonic his career demanded
JACK BYRNE feared he had become a nowhere man – only to find himself again by coming home.
Byrne left Dublin at 14 to pursue his dream at Man City and, while on loan at FC Cambuur three years ago, he was invited by Martin O’neill to train with the Ireland seniors.
That week he spoke with such bullishness and confidence to the media that he seemed to be believe stardom was just around the corner.
It didn’t quite work out that way as spells with Blackburn, Wigan, Oldham and Kilmarnock yielded 51 league appearances over two and a half years – but no real sense that he belonged.
As the 22-year-old contemplated a move to Shamrock Rovers in his native city, he wondered if his career had reached a dead end.
“I don’t really know what went wrong,” Byrne admitted. “I signed for clubs and managers have been sacked, two or three weeks after I signed a three-year deal.
“If you asked me where I see myself playing a couple of months ago, then probably nowhere. I was coming on for 20 minutes here, 20 minutes there, sitting in front of the back four or being part of a midfield two.
“You’re kind of thinking, ‘Where do people see me playing here?’. The question is, ‘Does he have a position?’.
“You’re starting on the left and drifting in but some people don’t want that in a team.”
All of a sudden different story.
Byrne has found a new lease of life at the Hoops, dovetailing in perfect harmony with Ronan Finn, working hard to be a team player.
Last Friday night, Byrne had no idea until later that Mick Mccarthy (inset) was at Tallaght Stadium.
Capping an outstanding display, Byrne scored a brilliant third goal in a 3-0 win for Shamrock Rovers against Sligo Rovers.
Forty-eight hours later, he was in parachuted into the Ireland squad proper for the first time.
“Never in a million years would I have thought it would lead to this, and I’m just very grateful to be here,” said Byrne. “It’s just been a mad couple of days.” it’s a