O'Byrne vows to put the 'Super' into Saints
Thursday April 14th 2005
WHILE dark clouds hang over financially-crippled Shamrock Rovers there is a much more optimistic mood at St Patrick's Athletic.
The club's debts, which stood at around £600,000 just two years ago, have been significantly reduced and financially stability has returned to Richmond Park.
Now they are ready to push forward and according to chairman Andrew O'Callaghan the appointment of former FAI chief Bernard O'Byrne as the club's new chief executive is a clear signal of intent by the Saints.
"These are challenging days for the club, something which seems to be endemic with the Eircom League, but we want to set a new light and Bernard is very much a part of that.
"Bernard has driving ambition and he sees the potential in the club and in this part of Dublin. This is a rapidly expanding area in population and business terms and we want to be at the heart of that growth," said O'Callaghan.
He was speaking at a press conference to formally unveil O'Byrne who will take up his two-year full-time position on Monday morning.
The decision to pursue O'Byrne came during a brainstorming session by the club's management committee after they felt they needed somebody of his calibre to lead the club forward so last month a phone call to test the water was made.
"From then on it was easy and things happened very quickly," said O'Callaghan.
For O'Byrne, who was raised 500 yards away from his new office and made his First Communion and Confirmation in St Michael's Church opposite the ground, it is very much a homecoming as he returns to the club he first supported as a schoolboy.
O'Byrne, not surprisingly, is relishing the challenge that lies ahead. "I bring a knowledge and experience that I gained over the years. I don't think anybody can say I haven't given less than 100 per cent in the past.
"There is a broad objective to help take Pat's to the next stage. People here in the club have stabilised the situation and turned it around.
"I have been brought in to help them move forward. We want to be the first Eircom League club to play in the group stages of the Champions League." Lofty ambitions maybe but O'Byrne has never been one to lower his sights.
At the FAI, he believed in the viability of a national home for Irish soccer - Eircom Park - and helped set up the Technical Department.
He said he walked away because pressures were getting on top of him and after a period of rest set up his own business consultancy.
But the prospect of him tipping into Merrion Square to represent St Pat's at an FAI National Council Meeting is a non-runner at this stage as O'Callaghan will continue to represent St Pat's at FAI and Eircom League level.
Some of those who opposed him on the controversial Eircom Park project such as FAI CEO John Delaney and Planning and Development Manager John Byrne are ensconced in Merrion Square but O'Byrne doesn't foresee any problems.
"I wish them well in their jobs and I certainly appreciate how difficult their jobs are," said O'Byrne.
As CEO of St Pat's he will be responsible for all aspects of the day to day running and everybody will report to him.
His experiences from the Eircom Park project will come in handy as the club sets about building a new stand behind the goal at the west end of Richmond Park.
Having been involved in many aspects of football this is his first direct involvement with an Eircom League club and he believes that there is tremendous potential within this sector.
"I think it's a league with great potential and one that has made big advances with the upgrade in facilities.
"The worry in business is do you have a good product and a market to sell it in? I believe we have and there are tens of thousands, if not hundreds, who are prepared to support the Eircom League in Dublin."
As Pat's pick themselves up off their feet after a traumatic period, they are well aware that others have passed them out but O'Byrne says the chase is now on. "Shelbourne have set a new bar that everybody has to make and pass."
Bernard J O'Byrne will be doing everything in his power to get the Saints to that level.
Gerry McDermott
© Irish Independent
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/ & http://www.unison.ie/
