Byrne relishing being back in the London fold
January 15, 2018
Chris Byrne ©The Irish World
by Damian Dolan
After leading St Kiernans to a first-ever London senior title in 2016, Chris Byrne is now looking to bring his vast experience of the London GAA scene to bear in his next challenge, as part of Ciaran Deely's management set-up.
Having pulled on the London jersey himself at Senior level, as well as representing the county at Junior and Under 21, Byrne knows what it takes to tog out for the Exiles.
He sat down with Deely and had a "good long chat" before last year's London senior county final, with the London boss laying out his plans for the year ahead. Byrne liked what he heard.
"It's an opportunity to give something back," Byrne told the Irish World.
"I'm there to try and help London along, not to try and help me along in my career. I've been there as a player with London and I know what the commitment levels are, and they're even bigger now, because with all the games at home next year there's that bit of added pressure on the players."
Byrne's main remit will be the defence, with Noel Dunning overseeing analysis and Joe Coulter the attack. He'll also provide a "different voice", something Deely was keen to introduce, and it's a sentiment that Byrne agrees with.
"Ciaran's open to playing good football and he's very easy to work with. He tries to keep the game as simple as possible,' he said.
"Sometimes as a manager you can be repeating the same thing, and sometimes just a different voice saying it freshens things up."
Carlow are first up at McGovern Park. The Exiles' only league win in 2017 came in a 2-15 to 0-16 victory over Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park in Round 2, only for Carlow to get revenge in the All Ireland qualifiers.
"When Carlow come to town they'll have played the O'Byrne Cup and they'll have those games under their belt," said Byrne, who hails from Belmullet in Mayo.
"For us, it's about hitting the ground running and being the best prepared we can.
"If we can get everything right with the boys' training, their fitness levels and nutrition, and get a game plan, then you've always a chance of winning. And that's what we're telling them."
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