Bohemians’ Jason Byrne back on the record trail

Under new manager Keith Long, Bohemians have hit pre-season running, something veteran striker Jason Byrne admits he’s feeling in his old legs.

“I was laughing with Keith there,” he says, “because it’s the hardest introduction I’ve had in 17 years. It was all running for the first two days which I absolutely hate. I couldn’t do it when I was 25 and asking me to do it when I’m 37 next month? ”

Byrne kept himself in trim by playing five-a-side, including games with his cousin Robbie Keane when the LA Galaxy man was back in Tallaght at Christmas.

“Yeah, we were playing a little bit,” Byrne confirms, “just to tick over, keep the heart rate up, get a bit of a sweat on and keep the weight off.

“It was good to see the quality of Robbie, his little touches. It was fantastic to get the chance to knock around with him. It was rolling back the years when we were kids.”

Byrne goes into yet another season fired up by the prospect that, currently on a whopping 216, he might yet overhaul Brendan Bradley’s all-time League of Ireland record of 235 goals.

“Because it’s so close now, within touching distance, that would be the only disappointing thing if I didn’t get it,” he says.

Bohemians are celebrating their 125th anniversary this year and also hoping plans to refurbish Dalymount – which could see them ground-sharing with Shelbourne – bear fruit.

Speaking at the launch of Bohemians’ renewal of sponsorship with on-line casino Mr Green, the striker said: “It needs to done, the way Dalymount Park has gone. I know you have the Jodi Stand there but the rest is derelict.

“I think it’s a good idea but I’m sure the supporters have different ideas. You can see how well things can get back on track down in Cork, where they have a fantastic little stadium – there should be no reason why they can’t do that up here.”