Longford footballer pictured ahead of Saturday's Dioralyte O'Byrne Cup final against Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
Bryan Masteron is relishing the busy schedule.
Matches are arriving thick and fast for Longford and DCU Dóchas Éireann with Saturday's Dioralyte O'Byrne Cup Final against Dublin next on the agenda.
During the past 18 months Masterson has made a significant impression for Paddy Christie's developing team.
"I suppose it's just what you grew up seeing, just always wanting to play for Longford," Masterson remarks.
"It was what you wanted to do. It's the same with a lot of lads, I'd say. You grow up watching Longford and they were probably better back in the day.
"It's just what you grew up seeing. A lot of lads are just like, 'I want to play for Longford', and that's it, like."
There is potential for Longford to develop under Paddy Christie's guidance? "Yeah, I think so," Mastersonr responds. "We're building anyway.
"There is a good crop of young lads and there is a good buzz around. We're all committed, we're all training hard, we're all playing a lot of football. A lot of lads are breaking into the team."
Encouraging signs were available in the 2023 Tailteann Cup according to Masterson. "I thought we definitely built as the year went on," he says.
"I know we didn't have a great League campaign, but I found from the first round of Championship I think we started finding our feet then, especially in the Tailteann.
"I know we didn't get outrageous results in the Tailteann, but I found the team kind of found itself. I found the atmosphere was definitely a lot better through the Tailteann, there was a great buzz in the camp.
Bryan Masterson in Dioralyte O'Byrne Cup Semi-Final action for Longford against Meath. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
"I think that carried into this year as well. It was good for the Tailteann, we had a good atmosphere throughout and built on it as the year went on."
Masterson acknowledges the contribution of the established footballers in the Longford panel. "They're great, that's what I mean - when you have a lot of young lads, but you also have the likes of Mickey Quinn, Darren Gallagher, Paddy Fox, Daniel Mimnagh, like, those lads are great," he says.
"I know you have a lot of lads who were great, who stepped away as well but they really just kind of push you on.
"They're always there and in every training session they're pushing you on. I find them very good."
Christie has proven with Ballymun Kickhams and DCU Dóchas Éireann that he can help young players to flourish. It might be a long term process, but Longford remain eager to make strides.
"I'd say so, especially considering what he did with Ballymun, he's known for that," Masterson says.
"I'd hope he'd be able to, especially because we have a load of young lads, if they all stick around and have a bit of faith in Paddy I think he'll be (good).
"He has given me a lot this year between Sigerson and obviously with Longford. He gave me that starting chance and once he gave me that chance, I was kind of in after that. I'm grateful for that, yeah."
In DCU Masterson is delighted to combine sport and study. "It's brilliant, I probably couldn't have asked for much better," he says.
"We won a Fresher All-Ireland, I started a few games in that. That was two years ago. I was training with the Sigerson team in the league, played a few league games and then this year I think I've played every game so far.
"Great for Paddy to give you that chance. He says it himself, we joke about it, that you're playing with the best in the college in the country week in and week out. You can't ask for much more than that, that's only going to improve you."
