Davy enjoying a new lease of life with seniors
Related Articles
NAOMH Mearnóg's Dave Byrne is enjoying a new lease of life after being called up to Anthony Daly's senior squad.
Byrne has been part of the Dublin underage set up for quite a long while now, but endured a frustrating time under the former manager team, led by Tommy Naughton.
But the twenty-five-yearold, having played with the Fingal hurlers got the thumbs up from Daly after an impressive display in a trial game against Wexford this year.
'It's a couple of steps up from what I'm used to, but its great to be involved again.'
Byrne started in a very strong Dublin team that lined out against Tipperary at the St Brigids grounds last Saturday week where he came up against two formidable opponents in John Devane and Seamus Callinane.
And Byrne was part of the Dublin panel that travelled down to Walsh Park for Sunday's NHL opener against Waterford which saw the Metropolitans lose out on a 4-13 to 0-12 scoreline.
'It was bit frustrating losing Alan McCrabbe to injury and he gives the forward line so much.
'We had our chances early on but its early days in the campaign.'
Byrne was named in the squad along with former football All-Star Shane Ryan in what is a great boost for the Naomh Mearnóg club.
And the versatile defender paid tribute to his coach, David Kennedy, as one of the main reasons for his elevation to the squad.
'David has been terrific for me. He made me captain of the team last season and he is definitely one of the best managers I have played under.
'I feel a lot more confident now, whereas before it was a frustrating, particularly at inter-county level where I wasn't getting much game time.'
Byrne admits it's been non-stop in terms of hurling for the last three years and he is happy to keep it that way.
'I was playing hurling right up until last November and I have also always adopted the policy of making myself available when I can.'
- Rory KERR
