Bohemians striker Jason Byrne has Brendan Bradley's long-standing League of Ireland goal record in his sights as the SSE Airtricity Premier League season kicks off tonight.
Finn Harps legend Bradley holds the all-time leading goalscoring record for the League of Ireland with 235 goals.
However, 37-year-old Byrne’s goal sprees during spells at Bohs, Bray, Dundalk and Shelbourne has left the Dubliner just 19 goals shy of Bradley’s remarkable record.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Byrne said: “Once I’m still playing there’s still a good chance of breaking the record.
“I’ve had a good pre-season, one of my best in years.
“I’m looking slimmer than I’ve ever looked. I think it’s going to be a big year.
“I’ll give it a good shot and I’m positive about it and I’ll go into the season in a good frame of mind.”
The Gypsies get their campaign under way on Saturday evening away to Limerick and Byrne is champing at the bit following the four-month off-season break, after Bohs finished the 2014 Premier Division season in a creditable seventh spot.
“I feel good in mind and in body and I’m going to go out and enjoy this season like I have for the last 18 years,” he added.
However, Byrne isn’t the only member of the family with the goal scoring gene; Jason’s first cousin is Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane, who holds the record for Irish international goals with 65 since his debut in 1998.
A target of 20 goals would see the twice-capped Byrne surpass Bradley which would keep all the Irish goal records in the family, something which Keane and Byrne both agree would be a huge accomplishment.
“We’ve spoken about it a few times and it’d be a massive achievement from where we came from., “ said Byrne. “If that day comes then I’m sure we’ll enjoy it.”
RTÉ’s Airtricity Premier Division coverage kicks off tonight with the Dublin derby clash between Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic live from Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 7.45), the programme starts on RTÉ2 at 7.40pm.
