Luke Byrne: 'At 24 I came from full-time football and 52-week contracts to being part-time on 100 quid a week'

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Rónán MacNamara reports from the Aviva Stadium

If anyone knows about the precarious nature of being a League of Ireland footballer it’s Luke Byrne.

Told to retire several times by managers and physios, the 29-year-old has had a tiresome career where his mid-20's were plagued by injuries which caused him to drop from a full time 52-week contract at Shamrock Rovers to part-time at Shelbourne.

The news that senior full-time professionals will be entitled to a minimum weekly wage of €430 is welcome news for Byrne who has a role in the PFAI but he feels more can be done going forward.

“I think it’s a big step forward,” said Byrne. “It’s obviously great work by Stephen (McGuinness), and Brendan Clarke and Pico Lopes. It’s a step forward but it can’t stop there. We have to keep striving for better standards.

"I suppose I’m maybe a little bit disappointed with the amateur wage. But, look, you can’t get too greedy and expect too much too soon. It’s a big step forward but that’s all it is.

“I’ve been there myself. I left Rovers and went to Shels. I came from full-time football, 52-week contracts to being 24 years of age on 100 quid a week part-time. It’s a big shock to the system.

"If something like this had been in place back then, it would have made life easier, but it’s great now that it is in place. As players, we want the full-time league, a fully professional league, and this is a step forward.”

Byrne was speaking ahead of the FAI Cup Final against Derry City where he will be hoping to captain Shelbourne to a first FAI Cup since 2000 as they make their first appearance in the decider since 2011.


 



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