WHEN Carlton’s dashing Irishman Ciaran Byrne took to the field on Saturday night, there’s a good chance he had a sense of déjà vu.

Marking his third senior appearance for the season, Byrne’s last match was also against the Gold Coast Suns – all the way back in Round 2 at Etihad Stadium.

In the fourth quarter of that clash, the defender sustained an injury to his left quad, which had kept him on the sidelines since April.

Having recently returned through the VFL, Byrne said it was “unbelievable” to be back out on the park and get a win with his teammates.

“It was an unbelievable feeling (to win). To be out for a few months and come back into the side and to get the win – it was massive, and reward for effort," Byrne told Macquarie Sport Radio on Monday morning.

“We’ve worked hard during the year, so to get the win and sing the song with the lads was great.

“Hopefully we can sing it a few more times this year.”

With his socks pulled up to his knees, Byrne showcased his trademark run and dash off half-back against the Suns, amassing 13 disposals, including four one-percenters and three inside 50s.

Breaking the lines and impacting the contest, the defender’s one-percenters were important as the Blues steadied and fought their way back into the contest after quarter-time.

“We try to base our game on pressure and effort. So, if we can work harder than the other team and endure through that and try to get the ball in our hands as much as we can, it’s going to hold us in good stead to get a victory," Byrne said.

“I thought we worked well during the game and got the result in the end.”

The result came off the back of strong performances by the Club’s leaders, with Byrne praising skipper Marc Murphy's performance.

“The amount of work he (Murphy) does around the Club, he’s been an outstanding leader for us," he said.

“You can see on the weekend, he’s so calm with the ball and hard at it. He’s a very important player for us.”  

Turning the conversation to his Irish heritage and background playing Gaelic Football, Byrne joked that while his housemate and good friend Patrick Cripps was a star in the AFL, he’d struggle with his native code.

“He’s a star, but I don’t think he’d be any good at Gaelic Football. He’s lacking a bit of pace, so I reckon he’d be a bit average,” Byrne laughed.

The Blues take on GWS this Sunday afternoon, with the match kicking off at 1:10pm.