Bohs’ Byrne eyes dream moment on big stage
Young centre-half thriving after going in at deep end
OUT of the FAI Cup final shadows, so often a hero emerges. Might Cian Byrne, the 20-year-old Bohemian centre-half, be such a figure today? It’s happened before. Rory Feely was sprung from the bench in the 2021 decider and headed a superb goal for Bohs deep into extra time to force a penalty shoot-out.
Just as Feely was next in line behind defenders Ciaran Kelly and Rob Cornwall to play, so Byrne has been cover for Krystian Nowak and Kacper Radkowski since recalled from a loan spell at Longford Town.
Watching and learning is one thing but there is nothing like being thrown in at the deep end and everything changed for Byrne a month ago when Radkowski was sent off against Galway United in the semifinal.
First, Byrne found himself in the Terryland Park trenches with 30 minutes to go and then, after helping to secure a 1-0 victory, he entered the conversation as Radkowski’s replacement for the final — the Pole is suspended, as per a contentious FAI Cup rule.
‘You’re always ready on the bench. I felt I did OK in Galway, saw the victory over the line. That’s all I was thinking about. Down to ten men, we knew we were under a lot of pressure,’ recalled Byrne, who has empathy for Radkowski.
‘I was gutted for Kacper as he’s been brilliant for me. He’s been a huge part of the team, and to miss out on the headline game is very tough. He’s not dropped his standards. In training, he’s pushing all of us.’
Byrne started the final two Premier Division games of the season, alongside Nowak, which strongly suggests he will cross the white line at Aviva Stadium to face St Patrick’s Athletic today.
That will be a proud moment for his parents Gerard Byrne and Caroline Farrell, twin brothers Dale and Dylan and girlfriend, Amy Carroll.
Armed with a breezy personality, Byrne, who hails from James’s St, about a mile from Richmond Park, is braced for what lies ahead.
‘It would be amazing to play in the Aviva. I’ve always wanted to play there. The lads have been great integrating me into the set-up. I feel like I’m ready to play at this level.’
Will there be nerves? ‘Yeah, I feel like it’ll be good nerves. I’ll be ready. With the preparation we’ve been doing, we feel we’ll be ready. Once you get your first action, you settle in.
‘The last time I was there in 2021, I was with the U19s in the stand. It was an amazing occasion, a massive crowd, and we were on wrong side of the result. Hopefully, we can flip it around.
‘I’ve not scored a senior goal. It would be great to do so in the final. A dream but my focus is helping the team get the win.’
As a schoolboy, Byrne played with Lourdes Celtic and St Kevin’s Boys before moving to Bohs, where he got his breakthrough with the U17s under Jimmy Mowlds.
At U19 level, he had stretched to six feet-plus and was identified as a promising centre-back.
‘Craig Sexton and Keith Long sat me down and said if I was going to make it, it was best as a centre-half. I took their advice, learned the position. I’ve played there for three years and feel that’s my best fit.
‘I’d describe myself as a ball-playing centre-back, feel comfortable on the ball, think I can start attacks, switch play, I feel I communicate well. Even though I’m only young, I try and motivate the players around me.’
Byrne spent most of 2022 on the bench for Bohs, making just two appearances. After being on the bench for the opening game of the 2023 season, it was felt he’d benefit from playing first -team games.
‘I went to Longford. Stephen Henderson, staff, lads, and fans there were brilliant. That experience was invaluable
‘The original plan was to stay for the full year on loan but there was a clause that could bring me back.
‘Pat (Fenlon) and Declan (Devine) called me in for a meeting and said they wanted me back at the club.
‘With the quality we had, I knew any opportunity wouldn’t happen straight away but it was about working hard and being ready.
‘Against Shels in the Cup, we were winning 1-0, Krystian (Nowak) went off injured, so I got maybe 25-30 minutes and helped see it out. That was my first appearance.
‘I’ve been playing the left-side. I’m right footed but comfortable on the left side. Krystian and I are both-right footed.’
Pat’s bring a physical presence to the attack with Conor Carty, Tommy Lonergan and Mason Melia, only 16, so Byrne can expect a battle.
‘We know Pat’s. We’ve been done homework on them, and they’ve done their homework on us,’ he said.
The surname Byrne has been synonymous with FAI Cup wins for Bohs, from Pat Byrne (1976) to Alan Byrne, Paul Byrne and Tommy Byrne (1992) and, most recently, Jason Byrne (2008).
There is room for another Byrne on the club’s distinguished Cup roll of honour.