After an injury-affected season, Jack Byrne is now looking forward to playing in some big games for Shamrock Rovers - both in the Conference League and the Premier Division - where in the latter he's not giving up hope the club can retain their title.
The competitive year for Stephen Bradley's side will end when they take on Chelsea in their concluding Conference League tie on 19 December. All told it will be a ten-month campaign for the Hoops.
Byrne missed the first quarter of the season with a calf injury but has gradually worked his way back to full fitness. In recent weeks, we've seen more than a few glimpses of the control and composure the midfielder can bring to a game.
On Thursday evening, one of Byrne's former clubs, APOEL Nicosia, are in Tallaght as the Premier Division champions eye a good start to their latest extended run in Europe.
And then on Sunday, Shelbourne will head to D24 for another crunch game in the domestic title race. Leaders Shels have a five-point advantage over their South Dublin rivals, who currently occupy third spot.
For Byrne, it's a case of relishing the busy schedule to come.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue on the eve of the APOEL clash, he said: "I'm looking forward to it; hopefully will get the minutes and keep building it up. We have a big game Sunday, then the international break, and yet more big games after that until the end of the season.
"It's great to be involved personally, great to be able to put myself in a position that I can have a good end to the season; the extra six games in Europe has been a blessing and hopefully I will get many minutes."
Of course, being involved in the champions path was key for the Hoops having a long run in Europe, and so underlines the importance of retaining their Premier Division crown. The 28-year-old hasn't given up hope that a five in a row can be completed.
"Building up to Sunday [against Shels] is massive for the club. Everybody knows that to get European runs you have to win league titles. We've still got a chance and got a big game on Sunday and we'll be ready."
In 2021, Byrne played five times for APOEL, linking up with former Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy. Things didn't go entirely the way both would have wanted at the Cypriot outfit.
"It was disappointing," was Byrne's overall summation.
"Mick brought me over there and then Mick was sacked. I had three managers while I was there, which wasn't ideal. I was carrying an injury, was carrying that here before I went over. I needed an operation so I missed a lot of time.
"I loved the people there; they were great and a lot of the physios are still there and they helped me immensely to get back. It was a new experience and a new challenge. It didn't go the way I wanted but there are no hard feelings."
Watch the FAI Cup semi-finals, Bohemians v Derry City on Friday from 7.35pm and Drogheda United v Wexford on Sunday from 2.45pm. Both game on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player with live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
Watch Shamrock Rovers v Shelbourne in the League of Ireland on Sunday from 5.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
