Airtricity League press release regarding Jason Byrne player of the month

Jason Byrne named Airtricity/Soccer Writers' Association Player of the Month for May.

The Airtricity/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland award for May was presented to Bray Wanderers’ striker Jason Byrne. The award was presented to Byrne by Gill Brady, Marketing Manager at Airtricity.

Byrne became the first club player to win the accolade since Gary Dempsey in April 2011, and pipped Paul O'Conor (UCD) and Stephen McLaughlin (Derry City) who finished second and third respectively.

A return of five goals from seven games confirmed that Byrne is not content to rest on his reputation, and he is firmly back to his best form as Bray prepare to travel to Drogheda United on Friday night.

“It’s a really big game for us on Friday night, Drogheda of course beat us 4-2 already this year, although we didn’t help ourselves having a man sent-off at one-all.

“The break has been good, we really needed to recharge the batteries after a great but a testing month of May, it was tough with so many games in a short period of time.”

Bray went unbeaten in four of their five domestic outings, and Byrne edged towards his tally of 12 goals to-date, this term as he moved up to second in the all-time goalscorer's list.

Chasing Brendan Bradley's spot as the all-time leading League of Ireland goalscorer, Byrne has emerged as a real leader for Bray, bringing the best out of youngsters Kieran Waters and Adam Hanlon, as well as supplying crucial goals.

Byrne began the month with a goal in Bray’s two-one win over Bohemians, before the same player bagged a brace in their victory over Dundalk.

Another double followed for Byrne against St Patrick’s Athletic midway through the month.

“The win over Bohs was a nice way to start the month, I enjoyed it. The result and performance was a very decent springboard, and we built upon it.

“We played a lot of goals between the league and cup during the month, but the Bohs result was no harm in terms of confidence, and we didn’t let up.”

Jason Byrne began his playing career at Bray Wanderers in 1998, with 49 league goals in 128 appearances before he joined title-winning Shelbourne in 2003.

The following season saw Byrne included in the Republic of Ireland squad, and after that he joined Cardiff City in 2007.

After spells at Bohemians and Dundalk, Byrne returned to where he started out in the Airtricity League, fourteen years earlier.

“I am really enjoying my football and being back at back, people may say it’s an achievement to score goals but really, a lot of it is due to the young lads around me.

“It’s great playing in a team with the Kieran (Waters) and Adam (Hanlon), who are full of energy and put the ball into the box when needed. They’ve been a huge help to me.”