Dean Lyness has team-mate and rival Danny Rogers to thank on the double for helping him land another club.
St Pat’s signed the English ‘keeper in an emergency deal earlier this month after Rogers’ thumb bone pierced the skin in a horror injury, warming up against Shels.
Rogers, who has been in Ireland squads, was signed in August and quickly became No 1 - only to lose his place to David Odumosu at the start of this season.
But Odumosu made costly errors in a shaky start and when Rogers - now sidelined for three months - dislocated his thumb, Saints sent for reinforcements.
Jon Daly, the assistant manager, played in Scotland for Rangers, Dundee United and Raith Rovers and knew of Lyness from his time at St Mirren.
“I was at St Mirren with Danny Rogers and it was his injury at the time that got me the chance to go there,” said Lyness. “He has pulled off two clubs for me in my career! So I know Danny pretty well.”
Rather harshly - because he’s only 31 - the team-mates Lyness shares a house with have dubbed him ‘granddad’ as he has been around the block.
‘Are you calling me a journeyman?,” quips Lyness in return, as he looks to build on a solid debut against Shamrock Rovers when UCD arrive in Inchicore tonight.
The Birmingham man started out with his hometown club, but has played with Hearts, Kidderminster, Burton Albion, Blackpool, Nuneaton, St Mirren, Raith Rovers and Airdrie.
Moving to Ireland was less straightforward as it means living away from his wife and two young children.
Lyness said: “With a young family back at home, I had a little think about how it would work logistically.
“But my wife has been really supportive and the club and manager (Tim Clancy) have been really supportive as to when I can get back home and see them.
“We spoke about it at home, with me being without a club for a couple of months.
“You’re getting to the stage where if an opportunity comes up away from home it’s something you'd have to seriously think about.
“When I was back home my youngest said ‘go back to Ireland Daddy’, so she was sick of the sight of me after a couple of days anyway!”
At St Mirren, Lyness played with Irish international Jamie McGrath and ex-Cork City defender Conor McCarthy - and he spoke to both about the League of Ireland.
McGrath’s thumbs up carried particular weight, considering he played for St Pat’s himself before moving to Dundalk and then onto St Mirren and Ireland.
Lyness will retain his place against UCD having been thrust into action against Rovers for the recent 2-2 draw in Tallaght.
“I got done twice from outside the box, so I wasn’t happy but it was nice to contribute and get a point on the board. It stopped the rot after losing three games in a row.
As for Odumosu, Daly feels he will take the disappointment on the chin and push Lyness all the way.
“David had a couple of little mistakes that led to goals. Sometimes that happens and you think, right, we need to take him out of the firing line,” he said.
“We’re quite fortunate that we’ve Dean who can fill that void. But David’s still a fantastic goalkeeper and he’ll learn from this little episode and come back stronger.”
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