Olympic FC captain Danny Byrne has wasted no time getting back into the swing of NPL football, making his first pre-season appearance for the defending Premiers less than 48 hours after returning from England.

Byrne played an hour for Olympic in their 6-0 Silver Boot win over local Brisbane club side Eastern Suburbs, after only a single training session since his return in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The attacking midfielder, who was selected in the 2013 NPL Queensland Supporters XI, made an immediate impact with the second goal in the pre-season win.

Byrne said despite his limited preparations, he was eager to get game time ahead of the National Premier Leagues season, and even expressed disappointment at his early substitution.

“I’m never ready to come off,” Byrne said after the match.

“I like to see out games but like the coaches said it’s a marathon not a sprint, so they’re easing me back in.”

“Six hours of sleep in two days doesn’t help but I was happy to get a run.”

As well as boosting his fitness, Byrne’s first hit-out of the year allowed the Olympic favourite to get a close-up look at new teammates Ryan Meskell, Darren Gray, Terry Hughes and Reuben Way, who all joined him in the starting eleven.

“Obviously I have come up against them numerous times over the years but it was nice to meet them properly and have them on my team,” he said.

“It was exciting to be part of the team last year, but with who we have recruited this year it is that little bit more exciting for me to come back into.”

“The new players have got everyone buzzing,” he said excitedly.

Byrne said he believed the new recruits will assist the club with defending last season’s silverware.

“We have brought in boys who are not only very talented but are also winners,” Byrne explained.

“The mentality they have in training and in games has lifted everyone around them and we are confident of winning any game.”

Byrne scored 20 goals in the first NPL season, including the Grand Final-winning penalty, but has quickly refocussed following his refreshing off-season trip home.

“It was a good little break but I’m back here now and my mind is straight back on it,” the Liverpudlian said.

“It was cold and wet, so it’s nice to come back to a hot climate. Getting a little bit more fitness in the heat is going to help me.”

 

Words: Matt Dorman (Olympic FC)
Image: Ian Judd (Aqua PD)