Stuart Byrne Interview

Stuart Byrne has won four League of Ireland Premier Division titles with his heart on his sleeve and still brings passion and honesty into his media work. Stuart talks to Extratime.ie about his football career, while also giving a view into broadcasting and column writing.

Joining Bohemians from Stella Maris, Byrne realised a permanent place in the Gypsies first team would prove insurmountable:

“I didn’t like it there and made a mistake signing for them. I went at 17, back in 1994/95 and Turlough O’Connor was manager. Turlough was never going to play youngsters when the average age of the team was around 30. I wasn’t, and still not mad about Dalymount Park either … There’s something about the place.”

Before teaming up with Home Farm, the young midfielder turned out for Irish League side Crusaders:

 “At 19, 20 you need to be playing as much as possible. I didn’t train with the team, just turned up for matches and felt uncomfortable – unable to get to know the guys.”

Declining a long-term switch to Crusaders, Stuart worked under Dermot Keely at Home Farm:

"A top manager and very old school. Dermot’s strength is man-management and he’s on record for saying that modern coaches put too much emphasis on tactics. He was a tough taskmaster and a fine defender, as a player. You have to respect that. Man-management skills are lessening and football now is more about repetitive drills, taking imagination out of the game.”

When Byrne moved to Longford Town, he showed signs of becoming one of the League of Ireland’s most consistent performers. For this, he credits Stephen Kenny and individual growth.

“Before signing, I had personal issues going on and wasn’t progressing as I’d hoped. They got resolved and I was clearer about certain things. Previously, I was too uptight, too intense and strict on my performances ... Stephen also helped with that.

“We reached the FAI Cup final in my first year and played in Europe. Stephen encouraged me and was a calming influence. I developed more in those two years than I did elsewhere. Maybe an exaggeration, but it was a key moment.”

Kenny joined Bohemians mid-way through 2001 and most believed Stuart would reunite with former club and manager the following year:

 “Everyone thought it was a certainty, but my experience at Bohs was a negative. Even with Stephen as manager, I had a mental block and felt that something was about to happen at Shelbourne.”

Capturing three Premier Division titles with the Reds, Byrne also contributed to 2004’s Champions League exploits, ending in defeat to Deportivo La Coruna:

“There was a desire for European progression. They were the best team for a long time, culminating in the 2004 European run.”

When the Tolka Park outfit clinched the 2006 league against Bohemians live on television, Stuart (Man of the Match), aired some grievances. Does he now feel embarrassed about his comments?

“It was a frustrating year because plenty was going on outside the club’s control that affected us. Dublin City went bust. We had six points deducted and other teams had only played them once. Other clubs’ footballers were suspended, played and weren’t reprimanded. Financial stuff at Shels was coming to a head too. Outsiders wouldn’t have known because we were playing splendidly. It was a difficult period. Players weren’t getting paid for weeks at a time.  I didn’t realise the impact the interview would make. I think the game is too monotonous now and lacks that passion from managers and players … so for those reasons, I don’t regret it.”

Asked which of Shelbourne’s Premier Division title wins he cherishes most, Byrne responds:

"Each one has its own merits. The first one is special because it’s a monkey off your back, but for pressure, it would have to be 2006 because of the problems we had. We knew that night the club would go into meltdown, and wanted to leave something special for the supporters.”

Joining Drogheda United, the Dubliner again won the league (2007, his first season), but admits to not rejoicing:

 “It was a different challenge, with another team, which was fulfilling. The club’s first Premier Division title, but didn’t feel the same. Most players partied, but I went home.”

In December 2008, Stuart declined a professional contract extension and eight weeks later the Boynesiders entered into administration:

 “After Shelbourne, there were signs of the same thing at Drogheda, but I wanted to return to work. At almost 32, I knew that football wouldn’t pay the bills forever. Players signed two-year deals a fortnight before everything disintegrated. It was extraordinary.”

To conclude his playing career, Byrne spent two seasons part-time with St Patrick’s Athletic:

“The first year was tough because we had a terrible start. I missed pre-season and it took a while to find my feet, as I wasn’t fit. Despite having a good side, we couldn’t get anything going, but performances in Europe put confidence back into us. In the second year, I came to terms that I was a semi-pro. I felt healthy and it was a nice way to finish. I could have played for another couple of years and taken a wage, but I didn’t want that.”

With five years media experience behind him, Stuart delves into how he finds each format:

“Television is the most demanding because it’s hard to get your point across. Everything is time constrained and sticks to a tight schedule. Radio is different because you don’t have to worry about your appearance and can focus on the conversation. Arguments develop more on radio because of the room to debate. The writing is enjoyable, once you get used to it. You require self-discipline because you have to come up with ideas and find the time to write them. It can be tricky to come up with a topic for columns. What’s interesting to you, mightn’t be to somebody else.”