Lyons hoping for delivery! Waiting game for Drogs striker
HAVING a full-time job as a postman has helped Chris Lyons take his mind off League of Ireland soccer’s shutdown which has already gone on for 10 weeks because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But it’s in the evenings - perhaps Fridays especially - when the absence of the striker’s football fix is most keenly felt and he admits he would gladly return to action tomorrow if the HSE guidelines allowed it.
The 27-year-old, last season’s top scorer with 15 goals for the Drogs, has been meeting up with Hugh Douglas who also lives in Bray - they previously played together for their home-town club - but otherwise hasn’t seen any of his teammates since the league went into lockdown in the second week of March.
It could be several more weeks or even a couple of months before the FAI allow full collective training to take place, with a possible return to league action in August, and the go-ahead can’t come soon enough for Lyons.
‘No words can describe how much I’m missing the football,’ he said this week.
‘I’ve never had so much time off and of course it’s frustrating not to be able to play and see the lads, although I’d be in touch with a few of them on the WhatsApp group.
‘We haven’t been told anything about when training will be starting up again - everyone is just hoping rather than saying anything. It’s down to the HSE guidelines and players have to be protected because this is a serious matter.
‘Some of the players are living with elderly people over the age of 70 and they just want to look after their families. That’s more important than football.
‘So we just have to take the guidelines on board and from there try and go forward. We just don’t know when teams will be back - it’s a waiting game and that’s the hard part, not knowing. Hopefully we’ll get back training by the middle of June.’
In the meantime the Drogheda squad have a fitness programme to follow as best they can, in the hope that they’ll be in reasonably good shape when full training does resume.
‘We were given one fitness programme by the club at the start [of lockdown] and another one a few weeks ago which is running one day and gym work the next to keep us on top of things,’ Lyons reported.
‘But I’ve been doing a lot of cycling as well because running can get a bit boring. I train in the evenings after work to keep on top of everything and it’s just trying to keep yourself motivated and fit as best you can.
‘I live close enough to Hughie [Douglas] to go out for cycles and runs together and I’ve done a bit of football stuff with him at BIFE [Bray Institute of Further Education] which is between our houses.’
Lyons’ job as a postman also helps his fitness as well as keeping him occupied during the day.
‘I’m busy in work, so things haven’t been much different in that respect. It’s just the football I’m missing out on,’ he said.
‘I’m doing parcels at the moment and with people ordering so much online we’re busier than Christmas every day for the last eight weeks. At the moment I’m using the van for [delivering] parcels, but you’d still be doing a lot of walking, lifting and dragging and I’d be tired at the end of the day.’
The return of Germany’s Bundesliga has given League of Ireland players a hint of what they might face if agreement is reached here on a return to action behind closed doors, and while not ideal Lyons is prepared to play as long as adequate safeguards are in place.
‘I actually haven’t got to see too much of the Bundesliga because I’d be at work on Saturdays,’ he explained. ‘I saw about half an hour yesterday and it wasn’t the most fun game I’ve watched, but it’s still good to see that their league is back.
‘The atmosphere is a big thing in football and playing behind closed doors would definitely be different, especially when someone scores.
‘Even though there’s not huge crowds in United Park, there’s still a bit of an atmosphere, but I wouldn’t say it’ll be a problem for the players and we’ll still try and win as many games as we can.
‘I can see where other people are coming from, but personally I would be happy to go back tomorrow if we stick by the rules set down.
‘I’ve been out every day since the lockdown started - I’ve not stopped or changed my routine but I’m still sticking to the advice and washing my hands, that kind of thing.
‘You would hope that the FAI will make sure we’re getting tested very regularly - at least once or twice a week - for this thing if we’re going to be out playing and sweating.’
It was Adam’s Fool at Down Royal on May 3, 1999 – relief followed by great joy!
What is your most memorable racing moment?
Paddy O Dee winning at Leopardstown in 2015 because our horses were not firing so it was mentally and emotionally very important.
What is your favourite racecourse in Ireland? Punchestown
If you weren’t a trainer what would you be? Incomplete
If you could train one horse, what would it be? Shishkin looks exciting but there are so many quality National Hunt horses now, it is amazing
How do you cope with pressure?
I have coped with it for 20 years in business so I would say pretty well
What mental preparation do you do for the big days?
Once I feel I have done my best I just try to think positive
I hate the thought of failure so strive to do better for my family and me
How do you stay motivated?
I was at Munster’s Heineken Cup Final in 2006 and that was a great atmosphere
Can you give us a Netflix recommendation? What is your guilty pleasure?
The Equalizer
Irish cream and family showjumpers
Desert island discs – name your favourite three songs?
Even Better Than The Real Thing – U2; Dancing In The Dark – Bruce Springsteen; Dreams – The Cranberries
What person do you admire the most and why?
My parents. If I could support my kids as much as they have supported me, I would be proud
I like seafood but it is evident that I have a good appetite
Favourite dinner? Where is your favourite place to go on holidays?
I like the sun and really enjoyed Cuba and Croatia
What ambitions do you still have?
I have loads but a Grade 1 winner in Cheltenham is right
Tinahely is a very picturesque village with a great community and so is a great place to live. I have a wonderful home, so Iamverylucky
How are you occupying your time during the Covid-19 restrictions?
I am doing a lot of maintenance jobs and improvements to the farm. I am helping my wife and kids with their horses so I’m keeping busy and definitely not bored.
If you had one piece of advice for everyone during these worrying times of Covid-19, what would it be? Think forward and plan something positive for the future
If you were to go back to when you were 20 years old and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be? Think quality over quantity
Favourite saying/quote?
A quote from Ruby Walsh, the world’s best jump jockey, ‘When you are winning, you’re a hero. When you’re losing, you’re a villain.’
Mine is ‘stay positive.’