Irish soccer: Airtricity League Premier Division
Byrne primed for Candystripes campaign
By Daire Walsh
DERRY City’s opening game in the 2014 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division against Shamrock Rovers on Sunday week is garnering plenty of attention because of the expected presence of former Republic of Ireland international Stephen McPhail in The Hoops’ starting line-up.
McPhail is returning to his native country after a 19-year stint across the water. But he will not be alone in this regard at the Tallaght Stadium on March 9 as 31-year-old Candystripes defender Cliff Byrne will also be making his League of Ireland bow having previously played for Sunderland, Scunthorpe United and Oldham Athletic in various cross-channel divisions.
For any player entering a new dressing room, it can be a difficult transition, but Byrne, speaking at yesterday’s launch of the new campaign at the Aviva Stadium, has been delighted with the welcome he has received at the Brandywell.
“It’s a terrific group,” Byrne states.
“You’re always apprehensive walking into a new dressing room. You know what it can be like, but the lads have been good. They’ve helped me settle in, as they have with the other players that Roddy has acquired over the off-season. It’s exciting.”
Like many sides in the league, the current Derry squad will embark on the upcoming term under the guidance of a new manager. The vastly-experienced Roddy Collins has replaced Declan Devine in the hot-seat and Byrne feels that the Dubliner and his methods have been warmly welcomed by his new charges.
“I didn’t work with the previous manager [Declan Devine], but Roddy has come in. He’s probably a bit different to the previous manager and to what the lads are used to, but Roddy looks after his players.
“He makes sure everybody doesn’t want for anything, so we’re 100 per cent on the training ground every day. I think the lads are really enjoying that.”
The opening game against Rovers, which will pit Collins against the club he served as both a player and manager, is an eye-catching one. And though much of the focus will be on their opponents, Byrne knows there will be plenty of pressure on the Candystripes to produce a strong performance.
“Pressure comes daily when you’re playing football. We have in-house pressure on us, and what we expect from ourselves,” he said. “We’re not too concerned about expectations of anyone else. We’ve got goals we want to hit, so we’ll be fully focused on our job.
“It’s going to be a good game for us to get the season going and to see where we’re at off the back of pre-season.”
Having achieved a fourth-placed finish last season, City will be seen as outsiders for the title in 2014, but when you consider the standing of St Patrick’s Athletic and Sligo Rovers before their recent league successes, there is no reason why the northerners can’t mount a serious challenge.
Byrne believes that most teams will feel this way ahead of the opening weekend, and Derry City are certainly no different.
“I’m sure everybody you speak to in the league, want to be winners, and want to be successful. We’re no different. We have our own ambitions and that starts with winning your first game.”
OPENING GAMES
(7.45pm unless stated)
Friday, March 7
Cork City v St Patrick’s Athletic
(Turner’s Cross)
Drogheda United v Dundalk
(Hunky Dory Park)
Limerick FC v Bray Wanderers
(Thomond Park)
UCD v Bohemians (UCD Bowl)
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City
(Tallaght Stadium)
Saturday, March 8
Sligo Rovers v Athlone Town