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After a defeat in the 2012 FAI Cup Final with Shelbourne against Sligo Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic winger Conan Byrne won his first FAI Cup at The Aviva Stadium, as The Saints beat Derry City 2-0 at the Dublin venue, on Sunday evening.

Like many of Liam Buckley’s side, Byrne was eager to end the club’s 53 year wait for the third FAI Cup, so it was no surprise that the midfielder was happy to accept the manner in which his side went onto win the 2014 FAI Ford Cup Final.

“I said it during the week that we’d take a scrappy one nil win, but thankfully Christy (Fagan) scored at the end to ease the nerves for the last few minutes,” the ex-Sporting Fingal man said.

Byrne also admitted his joy and delight for The Saints’ fans and the club as a whole as they saw their Club Captain Ger O’Brien lift the club’s first FAI Cup since 1961, when The Saints beat Drumcondra 2-0 at Dalymount Park.

“It’s just fantastic. As I said, it’s been so long. The fans deserve it, the club deserve it, but there’s a great bunch of lads in that dressing room who deserve it as well.”

The 29 year old has enjoyed a successful two years at The Saints, winning both a league and FAI Cup medal and Byrne admits that he’s looking forward to reminiscing about his time at the Inchicore club, when he eventually stops playing and hangs up his boots.

“I came in the start of last season and thankfully now, I’ve got a league and another FAI Cup. I can look back on these times, in years to come with fond memories.”

Peter Hutton’s Derry side failed to trouble the Dublin outfit on a number of occasions during the final and Byrne believes that The Saints were comfortable and well worth their victory on Sunday evening.

“They did have a lot of possession the last 20 to 25 minutes, but I don’t think they ever looked to cause us too many problems. Clarkey (Brendan Clarke) made a save from McNamee and Patterson had a header over the bar, but I think they were the only two clear cut chances they had, but I think we deserved the win on the day.”

After Ian Bermingham committed his future to the Inchicore side on Saturday night, Byrne admits that it’s an exciting time to be involved with The Saints, while The Saints winger insists that he’s already buzzing for next season.

“It’s a huge incentive for players to stay on, and hopefully the majority of us do. We’ll see what happens over the next week or two. I’m sure news will come out pretty fast of players that have signed and players that have re-signed. Exciting times ahead, I’m already looking forward to next season.”