The Boy from Dublin Town.

[teknonym 61]

Tadhg Byrne has been playing in a way that exceeds expectations as of late (discount the Yukon games, what do we expect really?) and reporters are starting to take notice of the young goaltender from Éire.

 

Jameson O’Connor from the Irish Times asked the San Diego Marlins goaltender for his first interview in his VHL/E/M career.

 

‘It’s nice to meet you,’ the reporter started, ‘I apologise if I’m not certain on aspects of your game. I did my best to learn as much about your position and role as possible, but hockey is far more complicated than I first thought.’

 

Tadhg nodded along with the reporter. ‘I get it. Not many people are too curious about hockey back home. I appreciate your efforts alone.’

 

‘So let’s begin. It’s my understanding that you posted your first shutout the other week, yes? Against the… Mississauga Hounds? Quite a showing from your teammates too. 7 goals for your boys.’

 

Byrne grinned. ‘Big game, big goals. Our team is firing on all cylinders right now, I’m super happy with everything I’m seeing in this organisation. I hope they take me again when it comes to draft day.’

 

‘About that, how are you feeling about the draft? It seems like a big event, surely big nerves are being felt?’

 

A small glint in the eye of the goaltender and a cock of the eyebrow danced across the face of the 19 year old up-and-comer.

 

‘Nerves? I don’t know about that. I get nervous when my bike makes noises that sound like the engine breaking down or the chain breaking.’ Tadhg Byrne seemed laid back for somebody whose career is incredibly uncertain. ‘I don’t get nervous about hockey anymore. I’ve learned to let it come as it will. I’d love to get drafted by London, I’d love to continue my career in San Diego, I love the administration and I love the teammates I spend most of my time with. I know, however, that that’s not what the hockey gods might have in store for me. As with any sport, you let everything come to you.’

 

Jameson O’Connor learned many things about the kid from Dublin town, namely that he was more than he seemed. There was more to Tadhg Byrne than he let on, and O’Connor was determined to get to the bottom of it.

 

It seemed that more would be uncovered next week, O’Connor would keep a close eye on the goaltender, learning more about the man and revealing more to the hometown crowd.

 

(422 words.)