Jason Byrne (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Jason Byrne is an Irish
football player, currently playing for Dundalk
in the League of Ireland
.
replay win. The 2001/02 season at Bray saw his most successful goals return, netting 14 league goals during the course of the season.
for a reported €75,000, scoring twice on his league debut against Waterford United
in April. He made an immediate impact, scoring 21 league goals in his first season, and helping Shelbourne
to the summit of the league table. The difference in the quality of supply was clearly evident. He was named PFAI
Player of the Year for his efforts http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/ierpoy.html.
2004 saw him pick up where he left off, forging a good partnership with new signing Glen Fitzpatrick
, and firing home 25 times in 33 league games, again helping Shelbourne
to the league title.
2005 saw him hit 30 goals across all competitions, including 5 in the Champions League
qualifiers and 22 in the league, and once again scoop the PFAI
Player of the Year Award. During this time he courted the attention of foreign clubs, such as Brighton and Hove Albion and the Swedish champions Djurgårdens IF. It was widely assumed he would join Djurgården, however, the clubs could not agree a fee. The Swedes offered in the region of €400,000, a record for a League of Ireland
player. This was turned down because, reportedly, as much as 50% would have gone to his previous club, Bray Wanderers.
Byrne was a key player for Shels
in the title winning 2006 season, topping the scoring charts again with 15 goals in 26 league appearances, including a crucial last-minute winner against Derry City. This brought his tally of goals to 83 in 122 league appearances for the Reds
.
team due to tax irregularities, which saw the club demoted to the League of Ireland First Division, Byrne signed for Cardiff City
for a fee of £75,000 on 17 January 2007, and scored on his debut against Wolves
, after coming on as a 62nd minute substitute. He made several appearances for Cardiff
, alongside Michael Chopra
, toward the end of the season as their promotion push stalled and they found themselves struggling to maintain form. During the summer it was widely reported that Cardiff
had cancelled his contract, even being confirmed by Sky Sports
news website, and he had left the club however this was soon revealed to be false. At the start of the 2007/08 season he found his first team chances to be limited due to the arrivals of Robbie Fowler
, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
and Steve MacLean
and found himself in the reserve side, where he was the leading scorer by January.
and signed for Bohemians
on 8 January 2008 on a free transfer, signing a three-year deal.http://www.bohemians.ie/index.php/club-news/jason-signs.htm Byrne made his debut for Bohs
as a substitute against St Patricks Athletic on March 14, 2008, and scored his first goal for the club from the penalty spot against Finn Harps
on 28 March 2008. He scored twice in two wins over Rhyl F.C.
in the 2008 UEFA Intertoto Cup http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7459721.stm http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0628/rhyl_bohemians.html. Jason wrote himself into Bohemian folklore by scoring the goals that clinched the 2008 title against Drogheda United on 10 October.
On his first start of the 2009 season, Byrne netted a brace as Bohs beat arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers 2–0 on 20 March. He continued this good form throughout the season as Bohs won their second league title in a row, with Jason netting 22 times in the league. This included an incredible 4 goals against Dundalk on May 1.
Jason had an injury-hit 2010 campaign where he struggled for fitness and form. Despite a good run towards the end of the season where he scored an important winner against big rivals Shamrock Rovers, Byrne and Bohs just came up short losing the league title on goal difference. Due to the Gypsies' financial difficulties, he was released from the club when his contract expired at the culmination of the 2010 season.
along with fellow Bohemians team mate Mark Quigley
in a one year deal.
Byrne was given the No.10 jersey to represent Dundalk in.
's Champions League
run in 2004 won him a call up to the Ireland
team for a friendly against Poland
in April 2004. The manager at the time, Brian Kerr, opted only to bring him on for the final few seconds http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/matchdetails.php?id=398. This move was not appreciated by Shelbourne
supporters, who already had a strong dislike for Kerr due to his association with their rivals St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
.
Despite what has been seen by some as a poor start to the 2006 season, Byrne was called up to the Ireland
squad to face Chile
on May 24, 2006 by Kerr's successor, Steve Staunton
. The game was a disappointing one for Ireland
as they were defeated 1–0 at home, but Byrne, unlike his previous international encounter, earned a reasonable amount of time on the park as he played the final 20 minutes of the game http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/matchdetails.php?id=421, setting up several gilt-edged opportunities that were spurned by two players considered to be among Ireland's
best; Damien Duff
, and Byrne's cousin Robbie Keane
.
Byrne was again called up to the Ireland
squad by Staunton
in 2006, for a friendly against Holland, but was unable to take his place in the squad due to injury.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
football player, currently playing for Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
in the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
.
Bray Wanderers
Byrne began his playing career at Bray Wanderers in 1998, where he immediately made a name for himself, netting 7 goals in 15 appearances. He was Player of the Month in his first month in senior football. Over the next 4 seasons Byrne increased his reputation as a striker that struck fear into the heart of opposition defences, scoring 49 league goals in 128 league appearances. Despite breaking his ankle in November he recovered to score twice in the 1999 FAI CupFAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
replay win. The 2001/02 season at Bray saw his most successful goals return, netting 14 league goals during the course of the season.
Shelbourne
On January 12, 2003, he signed for ShelbourneShelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
for a reported €75,000, scoring twice on his league debut against Waterford United
Waterford United
Waterford United is an Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded and elected to the league in 1930 and hails from Waterford. Originally the club was based at Kilcohan Park greyhound stadium, but have now moved to the Waterford Regional Sports...
in April. He made an immediate impact, scoring 21 league goals in his first season, and helping Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
to the summit of the league table. The difference in the quality of supply was clearly evident. He was named PFAI
Professional Footballers Association of Ireland
The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland ' is the representative body for professional and semi-professional footballers in Ireland. Players from all nationalities in the League of Ireland are represented, not just Irish players. It is a member of FIFPro; the international body for...
Player of the Year for his efforts http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/ierpoy.html.
2004 saw him pick up where he left off, forging a good partnership with new signing Glen Fitzpatrick
Glen Fitzpatrick
Glen Fitzpatrick is an Irish football player who currently plays for Broadford Rovers in the Leinster Senior League ....
, and firing home 25 times in 33 league games, again helping Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
to the league title.
2005 saw him hit 30 goals across all competitions, including 5 in the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualifiers and 22 in the league, and once again scoop the PFAI
Professional Footballers Association of Ireland
The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland ' is the representative body for professional and semi-professional footballers in Ireland. Players from all nationalities in the League of Ireland are represented, not just Irish players. It is a member of FIFPro; the international body for...
Player of the Year Award. During this time he courted the attention of foreign clubs, such as Brighton and Hove Albion and the Swedish champions Djurgårdens IF. It was widely assumed he would join Djurgården, however, the clubs could not agree a fee. The Swedes offered in the region of €400,000, a record for a League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
player. This was turned down because, reportedly, as much as 50% would have gone to his previous club, Bray Wanderers.
Byrne was a key player for Shels
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
in the title winning 2006 season, topping the scoring charts again with 15 goals in 26 league appearances, including a crucial last-minute winner against Derry City. This brought his tally of goals to 83 in 122 league appearances for the Reds
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
.
Cardiff City
Following the break-up of the ShelsShelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
team due to tax irregularities, which saw the club demoted to the League of Ireland First Division, Byrne signed for Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
for a fee of £75,000 on 17 January 2007, and scored on his debut against Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, after coming on as a 62nd minute substitute. He made several appearances for Cardiff
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, alongside Michael Chopra
Michael Chopra
Rocky Michael Chopra is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Ipswich Town. He is of mixed Indian and British descent....
, toward the end of the season as their promotion push stalled and they found themselves struggling to maintain form. During the summer it was widely reported that Cardiff
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
had cancelled his contract, even being confirmed by Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
news website, and he had left the club however this was soon revealed to be false. At the start of the 2007/08 season he found his first team chances to be limited due to the arrivals of Robbie Fowler
Robbie Fowler
Robert Bernard Fowler is an English footballer who is currently player/manager for Thai Premier League club Muangthong United....
, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jerrel Hasselbaink usually known as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a Dutch former football striker who played for various clubs in the Netherlands, Portugal, England, and Spain, as well as the Dutch national team. He scored more than 200 career goals...
and Steve MacLean
Steve MacLean (footballer)
Steven George "Steve" MacLean is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Football League One side Yeovil Town.-Early Days:...
and found himself in the reserve side, where he was the leading scorer by January.
Bohemians
After being linked with the move for some time, he rejoined his former manager Pat FenlonPat Fenlon
Patrick "Pat" "Nutsy" Fenlon is an Irish former footballer and manager. He is currently in charge of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian....
and signed for Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
on 8 January 2008 on a free transfer, signing a three-year deal.http://www.bohemians.ie/index.php/club-news/jason-signs.htm Byrne made his debut for Bohs
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
as a substitute against St Patricks Athletic on March 14, 2008, and scored his first goal for the club from the penalty spot against Finn Harps
Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
on 28 March 2008. He scored twice in two wins over Rhyl F.C.
Rhyl F.C.
Rhyl Football Club is a Welsh football club, playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1882 and the team plays its home matches at Belle Vue, Rhyl, which can accommodate 3,000 spectators.- History :Few clubs in the Welsh Premier League have as distinguished a past as Rhyl's...
in the 2008 UEFA Intertoto Cup http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7459721.stm http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0628/rhyl_bohemians.html. Jason wrote himself into Bohemian folklore by scoring the goals that clinched the 2008 title against Drogheda United on 10 October.
On his first start of the 2009 season, Byrne netted a brace as Bohs beat arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers 2–0 on 20 March. He continued this good form throughout the season as Bohs won their second league title in a row, with Jason netting 22 times in the league. This included an incredible 4 goals against Dundalk on May 1.
Jason had an injury-hit 2010 campaign where he struggled for fitness and form. Despite a good run towards the end of the season where he scored an important winner against big rivals Shamrock Rovers, Byrne and Bohs just came up short losing the league title on goal difference. Due to the Gypsies' financial difficulties, he was released from the club when his contract expired at the culmination of the 2010 season.
Dundalk
On 4 December 2010, Byrne signed for DundalkDundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
along with fellow Bohemians team mate Mark Quigley
Mark Quigley
Mark Quigley is an Irish professional football player who currently plays for Dundalk.-Career:Quigley came to prominence as a schoolboy with noted Dublin club Belvedere from where he signed for Millwall in 2003. He spent the 2005 season at Shamrock Rovers where he made a total of 12 appearances...
in a one year deal.
Byrne was given the No.10 jersey to represent Dundalk in.
International career
Byrne's form, despite playing on the right side of midfield for defensive reasons, during ShelbourneShelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
's Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
run in 2004 won him a call up to the Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
team for a friendly against Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
in April 2004. The manager at the time, Brian Kerr, opted only to bring him on for the final few seconds http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/matchdetails.php?id=398. This move was not appreciated by Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
supporters, who already had a strong dislike for Kerr due to his association with their rivals St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and...
.
Despite what has been seen by some as a poor start to the 2006 season, Byrne was called up to the Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
squad to face Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
on May 24, 2006 by Kerr's successor, Steve Staunton
Steve Staunton
Stephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington...
. The game was a disappointing one for Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
as they were defeated 1–0 at home, but Byrne, unlike his previous international encounter, earned a reasonable amount of time on the park as he played the final 20 minutes of the game http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/matchdetails.php?id=421, setting up several gilt-edged opportunities that were spurned by two players considered to be among Ireland's
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
best; Damien Duff
Damien Duff
Damien Anthony Duff is an Irish footballer who plays for Premier League team Fulham and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he has participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and helped his team qualify for UEFA Euro 2012...
, and Byrne's cousin Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane
Robert David "Robbie" Keane is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and captains the Irish national football team....
.
Byrne was again called up to the Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
squad by Staunton
Steve Staunton
Stephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington...
in 2006, for a friendly against Holland, but was unable to take his place in the squad due to injury.
Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
: 5- ShelbourneShelbourne F.C.Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
– 2003, 2004, 2006 - BohemiansBohemian F.C.Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
– 2008, 2009
- Shelbourne
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
: 2- Bray Wanderers – 1998/99
- BohemiansBohemian F.C.Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
– 2008
- Setanta Sports CupSetanta Sports CupThe Setanta Sports Cup, commonly known as just the Setanta Cup, is a club football competition featuring teams from both football associations on the island of Ireland...
: 1- Bohemians - 2010
Trivia
- Jason Byrne is the cousin of Los Angeles GalaxyLos Angeles GalaxyThe Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
striker Robbie KeaneRobbie KeaneRobert David "Robbie" Keane is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and captains the Irish national football team....
. - Byrne was the top scorer in the League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
for 4 consecutive seasons, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. A feat never before achieved http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iertops.html. - Byrne scored his 100th goal for ShelbourneShelbourne F.C.Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
in a League of Ireland Cup game against Finn Harps during the 2006 season. - He is also the all-time top IrishRepublic of Ireland national football teamThe Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
goalscorer in the UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, reaching this record during Shelbourne'sShelbourne F.C.Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
2005 campaign, during which Byrne netted 5 times. - As of 16/8/11, Jason is third in the all-time League of Ireland goalscoring list with 179 league goals. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iertops.html