Paul Byrne (footballer born 1972)
Encyclopedia
Paul Byrne is an Irish
former football
player, who played as a midfielder
during the 1990s and 2000s.
as a youngster before being snapped up by Oxford United
. He made his league debut as a 16 year old against Barnsley
alongside the likes of Ray Houghton
. Byrne played 30 or so games for Oxford but moved to Arsenal
where he spent 6 months in the reserve team under George Armstrong
without making a first team appearance.
in the Irish League
. He entered Bangor folklore by scoring the winner against Ards
in the 1993 Irish Cup
Final.
who took him to Celtic
and gave him his debut on 6 October 1993 as a substitute against St. Johnstone. He made 28 league appearances in 2 seasons at Celtic and scored 4 goals including two of them in the Old Firm
derby. He went out on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion
and scored once in 8 appearances for them before returning to Celtic.
's Southend United
side for a fee of £80,000. He began well initially at Southend and impressing Birmingham City
enough for them to make a £750,000 bid for him. It was downhill from then on for Paul at the club and they were relegated at the end of his 2nd season at Roots Hall
.
winners medal.
Final under the captaincy of Byrne but lost 1-0 to Shels.
, he went off to America for the summer months and played in Philadelphia.
before Roddy Collins
came calling again and Paul returned to Bohs just before the transfer deadline. He scored with his first touch on his return (a 20 yard free kick) in a 2-2 draw with Galway United
in February 2001. Byrne went on to play a big part as Bohs won the league title, their first in 23 years. A week later, they completed the Double by winning the FAI Cup
but Byrne didn't take part due to being cup-tied for playing in an earlier round for St. Pats.
Collins controversially departed in the wake of their success and Pete Mahon
became the new man in charge. After getting to the 2nd round of the UEFA Champions League
qualifiers, they had a disastrous run of league form which cost Mahon his job. Stephen Kenny
came in and Byrne was in and out of the side. Byrne played in the FAI Cup
final that season but once again finished on the losing side as Dundalk won 2-1. Kenny had a clear-out of players after that and Byrne was surplus to requirements.
Masters Football
for his former club Celtic
along side other legends such as Paul McStay
and Tommy Boyd
Paul has won Northern Ireland
PFA Player of the Year and Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Player of the Year
in 1993, Ulster Young Footballer of the Year in 1993 while playing for Bangor F.C.
currently plays for Hibernian
.
he also has three daughters named Lauren, Sommer and Kacie Leigh
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,...
former football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player, who played as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
during the 1990s and 2000s.
Early career
Paul grew up in Inchicore and played for Bluebell UnitedBluebell United F.C.
Bluebell United F.C. are an amateur club from south Dublin who play in the Leinster Senior League. 1st choice colours are yellow/black and 2nd choice colours are blue. The club was founded in 1946 in the southern suburbs of Dublin. All the committee members work on a voluntary basis. During the...
as a youngster before being snapped up by Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
. He made his league debut as a 16 year old against Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
alongside the likes of Ray Houghton
Ray Houghton
Raymond James "Ray" Houghton is a retired Scottish-born footballer who represented the Republic of Ireland at international level, qualifying through his Irish father...
. Byrne played 30 or so games for Oxford but moved to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
where he spent 6 months in the reserve team under George Armstrong
George Armstrong (footballer)
George "Geordie" Armstrong was an English football player and coach, primarily associated with Arsenal.Born in Hebburn, County Durham, Armstrong had trained as an electrician while playing in youth football, and was rejected by both Newcastle United and Grimsby Town. Nevertheless, he succeeded in...
without making a first team appearance.
Bangor
He returned home to Ireland and signed for BangorBangor F.C.
Bangor Football Club is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1918, hails from Bangor and plays its home matches at Clandeboye Park. Club colours are gold and royal blue...
in the Irish League
IFA Premiership
The IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
. He entered Bangor folklore by scoring the winner against Ards
Ards F.C.
Ards F.C. is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1900, is from Newtownards, but plays its home matches at Dixon Park in Ballyclare, which it shares with Ballyclare Comrades...
in the 1993 Irish Cup
Irish Cup
For the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
Final.
Celtic
This sort of form attracted Liam BradyLiam Brady
Liam Brady is a former Irish association football player, and former assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team....
who took him to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
and gave him his debut on 6 October 1993 as a substitute against St. Johnstone. He made 28 league appearances in 2 seasons at Celtic and scored 4 goals including two of them in the Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
derby. He went out on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
and scored once in 8 appearances for them before returning to Celtic.
Southend United
In August 1995 he left Celtic and signed for Ronnie WhelanRonnie Whelan
Ronald Andrew "Ronnie" Whelan is a former Irish football midfielder, and sometimes defender, who was an integral part of the dominant Liverpool side of the 1980s...
's Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
side for a fee of £80,000. He began well initially at Southend and impressing Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
enough for them to make a £750,000 bid for him. It was downhill from then on for Paul at the club and they were relegated at the end of his 2nd season at Roots Hall
Roots Hall
Roots Hall is a multi-use sports stadium in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, primarily used for football games and is the home of the Football League Two club Southend United. With a capacity of 12,392 Roots Hall is the largest football stadium in Essex, and is the current venue for the final of...
.
Glenavon
Paul returned to Ireland again and signed for Glenavon where he won another Irish CupIrish Cup
For the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
winners medal.
Bohemians
After playing a few reserve games for Shelbourne, Paul signed for Bohemians in January 1999. Bohs had a disastrous season and only escaped relegation by beating Cobh Ramblers in a relegation play-off. The following season was a different story as Bohs challenged Shelbourne all the way before fading away and finishing 3rd. They also reached the 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...
Final under the captaincy of Byrne but lost 1-0 to Shels.
Philadelphia
With Byrne's contract having expired at Dalymount ParkDalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
, he went off to America for the summer months and played in Philadelphia.
St Patricks Athletic
He returned to Ireland in time for the beginning of the 2000/01 season and signed for home town club St Patricks Athletic.Back to Bohemians
He only spent a few months at Richmond ParkRichmond Park
Richmond Park is a 2,360 acre park within London. It is the largest of the Royal Parks in London and Britain's second largest urban walled park after Sutton Park, Birmingham. It is close to Richmond, Ham, Kingston upon Thames, Wimbledon, Roehampton and East Sheen...
before Roddy Collins
Roddy Collins
Roderick 'Roddy' Collins , is a Irish former professional football player and current manager of Monaghan United. He has also worked as a television pundit, and is the brother of acclaimed former boxer, Steve Collins....
came calling again and Paul returned to Bohs just before the transfer deadline. He scored with his first touch on his return (a 20 yard free kick) in a 2-2 draw with Galway United
Galway United
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football....
in February 2001. Byrne went on to play a big part as Bohs won the league title, their first in 23 years. A week later, they completed the Double by winning the FAI Cup
FAI 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...
but Byrne didn't take part due to being cup-tied for playing in an earlier round for St. Pats.
Collins controversially departed in the wake of their success and Pete Mahon
Pete Mahon
Pete Mahon , is an Irish football manager who is currently the manager of St. Patrick's Athletic .His son, Alan Mahon , played all his career for UCD....
became the new man in charge. After getting to the 2nd round of the UEFA 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, they had a disastrous run of league form which cost Mahon his job. Stephen Kenny
Stephen Kenny
Stephen Kenny may refer to:*Stephen Kenny , Guantanamo detainee David Hicks' original lawyer*Stephen Kenny , Irish football manager...
came in and Byrne was in and out of the side. Byrne played in the FAI Cup
FAI 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...
final that season but once again finished on the losing side as Dundalk won 2-1. Kenny had a clear-out of players after that and Byrne was surplus to requirements.
Later career
He has since played for Kilkenny City, Dundalk and St James' Gate.International career
He was capped at Under-15, Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, Under-21 level and "B" level for Ireland and was included in numerous full international squad but never made an appearance.Legacy and Awards
One of the most talented players to have come out of Ireland in the last 25 years, he will be remembered for his time at Celtic and Bohemians. He often appears in the Sky SportsSky 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...
Masters Football
Masters Football
Masters football is a 6 a-side indoor football competition in the United Kingdom, where players over the age of 35 are chosen by the Masters Football Selection Committee to represent a senior club which they played for. Regional heats are held, and the winners of each go forward to a national...
for his former club Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
along side other legends such as Paul McStay
Paul McStay
Paul Michael Lyons McStay MBE, nicknamed the Maestro , is a former football player who spent his entire career with Scottish team Celtic F.C., making his debut in 1982 and retiring in 1997. He captained both Scotland and Celtic at all age levels...
and Tommy Boyd
Tommy Boyd
Timothy Leslie Boyd , better known as Tommy Boyd, is a British radio and television presenter who now lives in Chichester, West Sussex.-Early career:...
Paul has won Northern Ireland
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
PFA Player of the Year and Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Player of the Year
Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Player of the Year
The Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Player of the Year is an annual award given to the player who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in the IFA Premiership. It is one of two association football Player of the Year awards in Northern Ireland, with the other being the...
in 1993, Ulster Young Footballer of the Year in 1993 while playing for Bangor F.C.
Family
His son Kurtis ByrneKurtis Byrne
Kurtis Byrne is an Irish professional association football player who plays for Ross County. Byrne is the son of former Celtic player Paul Byrne....
currently plays for Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
.
he also has three daughters named Lauren, Sommer and Kacie Leigh
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...
: 1- Bohemians - 2001
- Irish CupIrish CupFor the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
: 2- Bangor - 1993
- Glenavon - 1997