KURTIS BYRNE HAS had to deal with hearing about his father’s reputation in football for the whole of his relatively short career.
The Dubliner, who arrived at Dundalk from Ross County in January, has settled into Stephen Kenny’s young side with impressive ease – scoring two goals in the opening month of the new Airtricity League season.
Having departed schoolboy football with Cherry Orchard for Norwich City as a 15-year-old, Byrne spent an injury-hit year-and-a-half with the Canaries before Hibernian came calling and he decided a fresh start in Scotland was needed.
He won an Scottish Youth Cup, made his senior debut against Celtic and went on play seven times for Hibs but spent much of his time on loan elsewhere and joined Ross County in 2011. Prior to sealing a deal with the Lilywhites, he also had a brief stint with Brechin City.
And, despite having little interest in speaking about the subject, talk of his dad Paul has followed him wherever he has played.
The former Celtic midfielder secured a place in Hoops folklore by scoring in an Old Firm derby after he had been signed by Liam Brady in 1993. Byrne Senior enjoyed just one season in Glasgow before becoming something of a League of Ireland journeyman – playing for the likes of Bohemians, St Patrick’s Athletic and his son’s current club Dundalk.
“The press always like to mention it but as I would tell them, I’m my own person,” Kurtis told TheScore.ie. “Everywhere I go he’s brought up.”
Under new management, Dundalk are currently riding high in the Premier Division with a return of 11 points from the first six games. 22-year-old Byrne has become a key part of their young side and is delighted that Kenny persuaded him to move to the Louth club.
Once I got the call from Stephen it didn’t take me long to decide. So far so good, we’re doing well and he has been brilliant so far. He gives you confidence all the time. He’s up there as one of the best managers I’ve worked with.”
Last season, one of Dundalk’s main problems was finding the back of the net. They have netted 10 goals so far this term and Kenny has been quoted as saying that he expects Byrne to be a real asset in that department.
“It’s always good to score,” says Byrne, who netted in the win over St Patrick’s Athletic on Tuesday. “As a striker, you’re waiting for that first goal to go in so it was relief to get off the mark early.”
Tonight Dundalk host newly-promoted Limerick at Oriel Park. Under Stuart Taylor, last year’s First Division champions have enjoyed a respectable start to their return to the big time and Byrne knows they won’t have it easy this evening.
“Hopefully we can get the three points as we’re still looking for our first home win of the season but as Limerick are a good side.”
