Conan Byrne brings 15-year League of Ireland career to a close as he pens 18-month deal with Glenavon

Former St Patrick’s Athletic winger Conan Byrne has signed an 18-month deal with Irish Premiership side Glenavon, bringing to an end a 15-year League of Ireland career.

The Swords man is one of three new signings unveil by the Lurgan Blues on Thursday alongside Dylan Davidson from H&W Welders and Danny Purkis from East Belfast.

Byrne, who helped the Saints to league and FAI Cup honours before winning the First Division in his only season with Shels, has also had stints with UCD and Sporting Fingal.

The 34-year-old has scored more than 100 goals across his League of Ireland career, including 61 in 193 games for the Athletic.

“With Conan, it’s goals,” said Glenavon manager Gary Hamilton.

“If you look at his career in the League of Ireland, his stats at St. Pat’s, he’s scored near enough one in four from right wing and that’s big going for any winger in any league.

“He brings goals and experience to the team; he’s played for a big club and, if you look at our squad, we maybe lack enough players who have been in pressure situations, where they’re playing for fans that demand results and success.

“Sometimes, when you go through sticky patches, players like that can help you, help the squad and help the team.

“He’s looked after himself all his career and hopefully that will stand us in good stead like Winkie Murphy, Ciaran Martyn, Eddie McCallion, Davy Rainey and Kyle Neill that we brought in later in their careers.

“We got a lot of good turns out of these players and they played for a lot of years for us and they brought that experience of playing at the top teams, challenging for trophies.

“The winning mentality that they have keeps them going longer and hopefully that drive will spread through the changing room and help the other players.”