In a discussion on Thursday's OTB AM about his debut album Maybe Not Today, former footballer Stuart Byrne explained why he felt the need to write a song about his old Shelbourne teammate and Republic of Ireland international Wes Hoolahan.
Although it signals a new departure for those who have long since aligned Stuart Byrne with football first and foremost, the genesis of his debut album Maybe Not Today stretches back many years.
A passion for music was not something he brought to the fore too often throughout his playing days, however, and as he explained on Thursday's OTB AM whilst discussing the album, there isn't much crossover between football and the new ground he is exploring as a musician.
Some fleeting reference points exist, nevertheless. With the song "Superstar", Byrne pays tribute for his former Shelbourne teammate and Republic of Ireland international, Wes Hoolahan.
"That was one of the earlier ones I did," he explained. "I've obviously spoken about Wes an awful lot with regards to his career and I've been very lucky to play with him. There's something a lot deeper there as well though."
In offering an explanation for his decision to commemorate his former teammate, Byrne pointed toward Wes Hoolahan's achievements against tough odds.
"Wes kind of broke the stereotype," explained Byrne. "He could have very easily have gone down a different path. He is an inner-city lad and there's an awful lot going on in your life when you're a young teenager growing up there.
"All it takes is one bad turn and you're in a bad way. So, what's very special about him and his career is that he broke that mold. He managed to achieve something incredible.
"He didn't do it the easy way and people probably forget now that when he left Shelbourne, he went to Livingston. He went through his career the difficult way. He is a wonderful example of what can be achieved."
After leaving Shelbourne for Scotland in 2005, Wes Hoolahan eventually made the move to Blackpool and then Norwich City where he would spend the vast majority of his career and reach the heights of the Premier League.
2 August 2005; Shelbourne's Wes Hoolahan. Picture credit; Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILEAsked whether he has played the song for his friend, Stuart Byrne admitted that he had not.
"I would never send it to him," he revealed. "I know he knows about it, but we would just chat away across text. He'd probably be quite embarrassed by it."
When the two next meet up in person, however, Byrne is hoping that a few words will be shared regarding this tribute.
You can watch back Stuart Byrne's interview on Thursday's OTB AM here.
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