Glenavon’s Conan Byrne has final Irish Cancer Society fundraiser in mind after banking thousands with Dublin grounds walk

The New Year arrival to the Danske Bank Premiership is an old favourite within the League of Ireland thanks to almost 15 years in the colours of UCD, Sporting Fingal, Shelbourne and St Patrick’s Athletic.

Having picked up a string of medals and memories, the 34-year-old primary school teacher opted to draw on his love of the game to hit the road in support of charity during the enforced break from work on and off the pitch due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

And his decision to stage a fund-raiser in aid of the Irish Cancer Society by walking 42 kilometres in a single day along a route covering the homes of six Dublin-based football clubs resulted in a one-man charity mission that hit home with huge numbers of supporters.

“The reaction has been incredible to be honest and I’m just delighted to be able to help a cause as worthy as the Irish Cancer Society in some way, thanks to the generosity of so many people,” said a sore but smiling Byrne following his adventure around the Dublin streets to Shelbourne, Bohemians, St Patrick’s Athletic, Shamrock Rovers, Cabinteely and UCD Bowl before a finish at Aviva Stadium. “Most of us, if not all, know someone affected by cancer and when the main fundraiser, Daffodil Day, was cancelled I thought it would be a good idea to use my situation without work or football for something positive.

“I live quite close to Shelbourne’s Tolka Park ground and when I started to map out a route between the six League of Ireland clubs in Dublin it worked out about 42 kilometres, which is marathon distance.

“I, of course, felt it the day after but I’m just delighted with the fact we could raise some money and awareness.

“The weather was decent and I had lots of support from people as I posted videos of my progress live on Twitter.

“Given the circumstances, I declined any invitations for others to join in the walk and opted to do it alone, with social distancing so important - but, in the end, the banter over Twitter was great fun and helped to keep me motivated.

“It’s not often you get to interact with supporters in that way and, on top of the joking around and give and take about my career, people were so happy to support the event and embrace the spirit behind it all.”

The fun exchanges with fans of both rival and former clubs helped Byrne raise a smile as he hit the road.

“I know I’ve only joined Glenavon in January but it’s a brilliant changing room and great team spirit,” said Byrne. “The current situation with football suspended takes that away from everyone and it was great to get a taste of that fun, I think we all miss the camaraderie of the game at the minute.

“One positive that could come from this suspension is the time to help me get over those niggly injuries which have held me back since I joined Glenavon.

“I won the First Division with Shelbourne but that ended around last September then I joined Glenavon in the New Year transfer window but the match sharpness is something you really miss.

“I felt I was building up and showing some of what I could do but then, after scoring against Ballymena, I had another setback, then my return was disrupted by the Coronavirus situation.

“I signed a Glenavon deal for 18 months so the aim is to get back whenever we can and benefit as well from a full pre-season behind me as I’ve really enjoyed my time at the club aside from the frustrations.

“It’s my first time at a team outside the League of Ireland but, knowing I would be signing for 18 months, I did my homework before and all of the feedback about Gary Hamilton as a manager and the club overall was really positive.

“In fact, I owe Glenavon massive thanks for giving me the green light for the charity walk.

“I’m under contract to the club and ruled out a long-distance run or cycle due to the risk of injury.

“My first idea was of cycling up to Glenavon but quickly ruled that out.

“Even with the idea of a walk, I still needed to contact Glenavon for permission and Gary did not hesitate to support the event and offer any help required.

“It means a lot considering I’ve only been at Glenavon for a few months.”

Byrne opted to close donations on his GoFundMe page with a midnight Thursday deadline to avoid any perception he was “milking it given people have been so, so generous so far”.

However, one final fundraiser has been organised with the club shirts put on by Byrne from ground to ground.

“Umbro donated three jerseys then I got the others from the various clubs,” said Byrne. “People were asking me over Twitter during the walk if I could send them a top after the event but a better idea is to return shirts to the clubs, ask the players to sign then I can auction each jersey off for the Irish Cancer Society.”