The Brendan O'Brien Interview

HE spent almost 30 years making a name for himself in the game’s boardrooms — the last five sitting at the head of the FAI’s table — but the temptation to label him as a ‘football man’ doesn’t sit comfortably on Bernard O’Byrne’s shoulders.

It’s easy to see why.

Though best known for his time at 80 Merrion Square, the beautiful game is just one tributary in a life that has flowed in all sorts of interesting directions either side of his white-knuckle ride behind that famous green door. There have been the positions with Coca-Cola, Nestle Ireland and Cement Roadstone Holdings; the business consultancy and his spell as chief executive of the Citywest Hotel & Leisure Group.