SOCCER: THERE'S NOT many people would say their job satisfaction levels had been enhanced by the addition of a lengthy commute each day but as he prepares for his first cup final in a Dundalk shirt, Jason Byrne sounds like he's enjoying the trips up and down the M1 almost as much as his football.

The striker has enjoyed a great League of Ireland career but, at 33, still looked a bit of a gamble when Ian Foster offered him the chance of a new start at Oriel Park following the break up for financial reasons of the Bohemians squad that had won so much over the last few seasons.

Foster’s punt has paid off in spades. In the opening weeks of the league campaign Byrne and former Bohemians team-mate Mark Quigley have struck up a partnership that has generated nine goals, their efforts also important in getting their club to Saturday’s Setanta Sports-backed showdown with Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.

“Yeah, it’s gone well so far but there are a lot of other very good players up there,” says the Dubliner, “the likes of Ross Gaynor and Daniel Kearns, as well as Mark Quigley who has been a bit of a revelation since he’s gone up to Dundalk. He’s playing just off me and he’s scored a lot of goals but he’s helped me to score too by dragging defenders into all sorts of stupid positions they really don’t want to get into.

“It’s a real joint effort between the lads going forward and so far it’s been going well, we’ve been getting a few goals between us. There are class players in other positions too, including a few youngsters. It’s a good team and I can only see it getting better.”

With important players coming back from injury there may be further improvement in the league too but the priority is Saturday’s final and Byrne insists Rovers’ “home advantage” will make no difference come kick-off.

“I’m not bothered about it at all,” he says. “It’s a cup final. I think we could play them in the Phoenix Park and it wouldn’t make any difference. It’s about who wants to win it more on the day, not about where the game is played.”

Byrne is adamant he didn’t head north as a first step towards retirement, although he has started getting coaching badges for what he hopes will be the next phase of his career. For the moment he insists he is thrilled to be enjoying a level of success that has come “much sooner than I expected”, with his new club . . . and then there is the driving.

“Yeah, there’s five of us (Simon Madden, Mark Quigley, Stephen Maher, Keith Ward and Byrne) travelling up every day, taking it turns with the cars. It’s a bit if a squeeze in Wardy’s,” he laughs, “but I wouldn’t change it. I’ve never played for a club outside Dublin before so I’ve never had this side of it but I wouldn’t change it, some of the stories you get about teams and players, they’re unbelievable really.”

If they can beat Rovers these Dundalk players will become quite a yarn themselves.