'Life-changing' Zambia trip caps whirlwind period for Byrne
Friday December 11 2009
CONAN BYRNE left Sporting Fingal's FAI Cup-winning celebrations for a very different kind of life-changing experience.
The morning after their famous triumph over Sligo Rovers, the club's community development manager travelled to Zambia to do some volunteer work under the banner of the emerging Dublin club -- a position he combines with his role as a right-sided attacker, from which he scored 27 times in all competitions this season.
For his contribution to both promotion and cup success in November, Byrne scooped the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Player of the Month Award.
And, for many reasons, it is a period that will stay with him for a long time.
"It's been a whirlwind. I am only really beginning to take it all in since I got home. It's only now that I have had time to relax and reflect on all that has happened," said Byrne, who returned to Dublin on Tuesday after a 24-hour journey via four destinations.
"Winning promotion and the cup is a reward for all of the hard work which has gone in over the last two years. It's great to think that we have not only the Premier Division, but Europe and the Setanta Sports Cup to look forward to.
"Going to Zambia was a life-changing experience. I wouldn't be able to put into words how tough life is for people there. It's complete poverty, but hopefully we have been able to offer some respite to that.
"We took loads of pictures and kept diaries to describe how we felt so it's going to be good to have those to look back on. I also hope to go back in a couple of years. We were working with children with physical and mental disabilities and we got some insight into the tough conditions and the way they live their lives."
Byrne made the journey with students from St Joseph's Secondary School in Rush and Balbriggan Community College, and they brought €30,000 in aid following a fund-raising drive.
Meanwhile, first-team manager Liam Buckley is currently embarking on a recruitment drive with the signatures of First Division Player of the Year Ronan Finn (from UCD) and goalie Brendan Clarke (from St Pat's) already confirmed.
"I know we've signed a couple of players already and, even in Zambia, I was hearing who we were being linked with so I'm sure we will be strong," said Byrne.
- Daniel Mcdonnell
Irish Independent
