Tigerish Lyons relishing early return to Tolka

IT will be a case of ‘third time lucky’ if Chris Lyons manages to make his League debut for Drogheda United against Shelbourne this Friday night.

The young striker was all set to start in the number 9 jersey against Finn Harps last week when the game was called off, and as far back as two years ago the then teenager agreed to join the Drogs and then moved elsewhere after his signing had been announced.

Lyons is chomping at the bit to say the least as he prepares for the trip to Tolka Park, where he represented Shels last season.

‘It was just disappointing for the lads,’ he began, referring to last week’s postponement. ‘We were all ready to rock and get out on the pitch when we got the news, so it was a big of a kick for us, but we just have to dust ourselves down and get back to training during the week and kick on against Shels.

‘One hundred per cent it could have been played. We’ve played pre-season games in those conditions, but it wasn’t to be and I feel for the supporters - families, kids, everyone who was there - especially for the Harps supporters.’

Lyons said he didn’t have to think twice about putting pen to paper this time when he was approached for the second time about joining Drogheda back in mid December.

‘I got a phone call off Tim [Clancy] and Dave [Robertson] and as soon as they got onto me I was so keen. I know Tim well from playing with him at Sligo and Bray and I know what sort of a bloke he is. I’m 100% on board and I’ve really enjoyed my time so far and pre-season was probably one of the best I’ve had.

‘I’m really looking forward to kicking on with the team and seeing how we do.’

Lyons smiled when reminded about the circumstances of his aborted signing two years ago.

‘It was said I was going to sign, but I wasn’t signed and I got a better deal closer to home,’ he explained. ‘It was a decision I had to make for myself and my job and where I’m from. That’s what happened - it was nothing personal.

‘I trained once with Drogheda, had a chat with them and agreed [to sign], and then Bray came in with a better offer closer to home and I’m from Bray.

‘It was a hard one - I didn’t want to throw it back in Drogheda’s face - but hopefully now I can do well for them and everyone can forget about that.’

Given that he played for Shelbourne last season, Lyons is looking forward to returning to Tolka Park so soon but insisted that he’s excited about the prospect of every game.

‘Tonight I was absolutely buzzing as well,’ he said. ‘Pre-season has gone excellent, there’s no injuries, everyone’s fit and sharp and biting at the bit to get onto the teamsheet and this week we’ll do the same, train hard during the week and take on Shels and see how we go.

‘Shels will be hard to beat. They’ll be decent and Owen [Heary] will have them set out well, but we just have to look after ourselves and give 100% as we have in pre-season and take each game as it comes.

‘That’s the way we’re going to go about it. Hopefully we start well and push on. It would be great to get into the play-off stages, but we just have to go with the flow and see what happens.’

Unfortunately, last year proved to be a largely forgettable one for Lyons, but he’s now looking to lay down a marker with the Drogs, having also had spells with UCD, Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers B, Bray Wanderers and Sligo Rovers as well as Shelbourne.

‘I got an injury the week before the season and didn’t play much and couldn’t really get fit, so it was a frustrating year, but I had a good off-season personally, worked hard and lost a lot of weight and I’m in good shape,’ he insisted.

‘I just thinned out, made myself fitter and stronger and I feel great.’

Asked how Shelbourne supporters might react to seeing him in Drogheda colours, Lyons responded: ‘I don’t know. I didn’t do anything wrong there. I did well and gave 100%, but I didn’t play much because of the injury and it just wasn’t meant to be.

‘I feel good now, though, and I’m 100% a Drogheda player, so I’m looking forward to it. If I score I will celebrate - I’ll jump around like a tiger!’