RUGBY: ADAM BYRNE INTERVIEW
Byrne’s stock growing at Leinster
By Daire Walsh
JUST over two weeks on from his opening try at first-team level for Leinster against Zebre at the RDS, Kill’s Adam Byrne found himself on the scoresheet away to the Italian outfit in their return fixture on February 28.
When you consider that Leinster only claimed a much-desired bonus point in the latter stages of the game in Parma, Byrne’s 51st-minute try was pivotal for Leo Cullen’s side.
The 21-year-old winger was understandably delighted to cross over in this Pro12 encounter, but Byrne was mostly thrilled that Leinster were able to get the job done on the day.
“I suppose it was good personally to get on the scoresheet, but I’m just kind of glad for the team, just to get another score.
“Especially to get a try after half-time, just to put a few more points between them. Because they were coming back looking kind of strong at a few stages,” Byrne remarked. “It was nice personally, but I just kind of felt a bit relieved for the team anyway at the time. We were kind of under no illusion that it would be a tough challenge over there.
“It was good to get the fourth try and bonus point as well.”
Byrne’s profile has certainly risen this season, and he gained additional exposure in recent weeks – as he featured in the province’s web series, entitled “The Academy”.
Along with housemates Peter Dooley, Tom Daly and Josh van der Flier, Byrne was featured prominently in the four-part production, and he hopes that it can give young players an insight into what life in the Leinster Academy is like.
“Yeah, they kind of looked at our house, where I’m living with Peter Dooley, Josh van der Flier and Tom Daly. [I had] a bit of feedback from people saying you came across well. I’ve been getting more slagging for the scarf I was wearing and stuff like that!
“It was good to do, and hopefully especially a few young players will get an insight into what it’s like in the Academy, and kind of what we do day-to-day.”
Byrne has a very busy schedule at the moment, because aside from lining out with several teams at club, interprovincial and international level, he is also in his fifth year in college. While his involvement with the senior squad has increased his workload, he believes that he has managed to create the right balance between playing and studying. “It’s my fifth year in college, so I’m kind of used to balancing that. Leinster have been good in fairness.
“If you have any exam or an important lab session, or even an important lecture to go to, they’ve no problem letting you miss the odd training session for that.
“I think I’ve kind of learned how to manage it and stuff like that. It has been a little bit tougher recently, I suppose, kind of being involved with the senior team, learning your detail for each match and doing your video analysis on the players you’re going to be marking. It has been a bit more challenging, but I think sometimes you might put college on the long finger, and you can go back to it.”
In a similar vein to his fellow Kildare native – James Connolly – in Connacht, Byrne will be entering into a one-year development contract from the start of next season following the completion of his stint in the Leinster Academy.
This is something that Byrne is looking forward to, as it will enable him to make the full transition to senior professional rugby.
“My Academy contract is up this year, so I’ve signed a one-year development contract for next year. It’s good to have that out of the way, and kind of set myself the target of just playing rugby, and just kind of getting better, and I suppose it’s nice having the security of being there for another year.
“I’m really looking forward to next year, and kind of being involved in the senior set-up, and having made that step from the Academy to senior. It’s good to have that done and sorted,” Byrne added.