LAST WEEKEND, BRAY Wanderers and UCD shared nine goals at the Belfield Bowl.
The visiting Seagulls claimed a 5-4 victory with veteran striker Jason Byrne bagging four. That is a remarkable achievement in itself but, even more significant was the fact that the Dubliner has now surpassed 200 League of Ireland goals.
Back in April, Byrne became the second highest goalscorer in the history of Irish football and, at 35 years of age, he is 33 goals shy of Brendan Bradley’s record – which stands at 235.
Undoubtedly one of the finest finishers this country has ever produced, he has won five Premier Division titles, two FAI Cups, a League of Ireland Cup and a Setanta Cup during a glittering career. Having made his debut with Bray in 1998, he went on to enjoy spells with Shelbourne, Cardiff City, Bohemians and Dundalk before returning to the Wicklow club in 2012.
Next up is a meeting with Derry City at the Carlisle Grounds tonight.
Here are some of the best pics from his 15 years in senior football:
Back in 1998
Byrne as a 20-year-old
Scoring in the FAI Cup final 2nd replay
With Pat Devlin after winning the cup
Competing with Celtic defender Alan Stubbs
He signs for Shelbourne in 2003
And wins his first league title later that year
Byrne earns a senior cap for Ireland after a (brief) appearance against Poland
Playing in that famous 0-0 draw with Deportivo La Coruna
He has twice won PFAI Player of the Year twice
With the cousin
A move to England beckons, and Byrne scored on his debut for Cardiff
But in 2008, returned to the league and linked up with Pat Fenlon at Bohs
And wins more silverware
Bohemians just miss out on the title in 2010 and Byrne departs due to their financial difficulties
He spends one season in Louth with Dundalk
Before returning to the club where it all started
He may be getting on a bit, but you wouldn't think it looking at this pic
