Paul Byrne (footballer born 1972)

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Paul Byrne
Personal information
Full name Paul Byrne
Date of birth June 30, 1972 (1972-06-30) (age 35)
Place of birth    Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Height 6ft
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Dublin Bus F.C. (manager)
Youth clubs
Bluebell United F.C.
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1989-1991
1991-1993
1993-1995
1995
1995-1998
1998-1999
1999-2000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-??
??-??
??-??		 Oxford United
Bangor
Celtic
Brighton & Hove Albion
Southend United
Glenavon
Bohemians
St. Patricks Athletic
Bohemians
Kilkenny City
Dundalk
St. James' Gate		 6 (0)
? (?)
28 (4)
8 (1)
84 (6)
? (?)
? (?)
? (?)
? (?)
? (?)
? (?)
? (?)   
National team
Republic of Ireland under-21
Republic of Ireland B

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)

Paul Byrne (born in Dublin on June 30, 1972) was an Irish football midfielder during the 1990s and 2000s and is currently manager of Dublin Bus F.C. in Irish non-league football.

Paul grew up in Inchicore and played for Bluebell United 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. He returned home to Ireland and signed for Bangor F.C. in the Irish League. He entered Bangor folklore by scoring the winner against Ards in the 1993 Irish Cup Final. This sort of form attracted Liam Brady who took him to Celtic and gave him his debut on October 6, 1993 as a substitute against St. Johnstone[1].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.

In August 1995 he left Celtic and signed for Ronnie Whelan's Southend United side for a fee of £80,000[2]. He began well initially at Southend and impressing Birmingham City enough for them to make a £750,000 bid for him[3]. 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. Paul returned to Ireland again and signed for Glenavon where he won another Irish Cup winners medal.

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 Cup Final under the captaincy of Byrne but lost 1-0 to Shels.

With Byrne's contract having expired at Dalymount Park, he went off to America for the summer months and played in Philadelphia. He returned for in time for the beginning of the 2000/01 season and signed for home town club St Patricks Athletic. He only spent a few months at Richmond Park 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.He has since played for Kilkenny City, Dundalk and St. James' Gate F.C.. 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 Bohs.

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.

[edit] Honours