Sam Byrne

Sam Byrne
Personal information
Full nameSam John Byrne[1]
Date of birth23 July 1995
Place of birthDublin, Ireland
Height1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in) [2]
Playing positionForward
Club information
Current team
 Everton
Number40
Youth career
St Joseph's Boys
2011–2013Manchester United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2013–2014Manchester United0(0)
2014→ Carlisle United (loan)13(1)
2014- Everton0(0)
National team‡
2009–2010Republic of Ireland U156(3)
2010–2011Republic of Ireland U167(1)
2010–2012Republic of Ireland U1719(4)
2012–Republic of Ireland U1910(7)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:09, 29 March 2014 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:01, 11 February 2014 (UTC)

Sam John Byrne (born 23 July 1995) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for Everton as a forward. Born in Dublin, he began his career with St. Joseph's Boys before joining Manchester United in July 2011. He has also represented the Republic of Ireland at every youth international level from under-15 to under-19.

Club career

After beginning his career with St. Joseph's,[3] Byrne joined Manchester United in July 2011, entering the club's academy as a first-year scholar.[4] He made his debut for the club's under-18 team away to Southampton on 27 August 2011,[5] but it took three months for him to score his first goal, which came against Liverpool on 25 November 2011.[6] He soon became a regular starter for the under-18s and went on to score four goals in 28 appearances in his first season with the club.

The 2012–13 season began slowly for Byrne as he scored just two goals in 11 appearances before the turn of the year; however, five goals in the second half of the season – including braces against Fulham[7] and Southampton[8] – earned him plaudits from coach Paul McGuinness.

In 2013–14, Byrne played in all six of Manchester United's UEFA Youth League group matches but was unable to get on the scoresheet as United finished bottom of Group A and were eliminated from the competition. On 31 January 2014, he was loaned to Carlisle United with team-mate Charni Ekangamene.[9] He made his professional debut the next day, coming on as a substitute against Bristol City.[10]

On 23 May 2014 Byrne was released by Manchester United,[11] and joined Everton on a free transfer on 18 July.[12]

International career

Byrne has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-19 levels.

He made his debut for the under-15s as a left-winger in a match against the Aspire Academy from Qatar on 14 December 2009.[13] He moved up front for a second match against the Qatari side two days later and scored Ireland's only goal in a 3–1 defeat.[14] He marked the last of his six appearances for the under-15s with a brace of goals in a 5–0 win against Northern Ireland.[15]

He made the step up to the under-16s at a tournament in Italy in October 2010, playing in all three matches against Ukraine,[16] Italy[17] and Denmark.[18] His first goal for the under-16s came in the first of two fixtures against Hungary on 23 November 2010, the first in a 2–1 win.[19] He missed the team's trip to Turkey in March 2011[20] after being selected for the under-17s' 2011 UEFA Under-17 elite round matches against Denmark, Greece and Latvia, but returned to captain the side in a double-header at home to Belgium in April 2011,[21][22] his final under-16 appearances.

Byrne made his under-17 debut in a tournament in Hungary in August 2010, giving Ireland the lead against the host nation in the semi-finals, only for Hungary to equalise and go on to win 4–2 on penalties. Ireland then lost to Serbia in the third-place play-off and finished fourth in the tournament.[23] His impressive performances in Hungary meant he was retained in the squad for the 2011 UEFA Under-17 qualifiers against Norway, Albania and group hosts Malta.[24] He appeared as a substitute in the wins against Malta and Albania that sealed Ireland's qualification to the elite round,[25][26] but despite starting against Norway, he was unable to prevent defeat and Ireland finished second in the group.[27] After a double-header in Italy in February 2011,[28] Byrne played in all three UEFA Under-17 elite round matches against Denmark, Greece and Latvia, only for the undefeated Irish to miss out on the finals after Denmark beat Greece with a last-minute goal.[29][30][31]

As an early starter in the under-17s, Byrne was able to continue in the side for a second year, starting with a double-header against Serbia in September 2011.[32] He then played in all three of Ireland's 2012 UEFA Under-17 qualifiers against Liechtenstein, Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic in October 2011, scoring a hat-trick in an 8–0 win against Liechtenstein.[33] After drawing with Kazakhstan and losing to the Czech Republic, Ireland qualified for the elite round ahead of Kazakhstan on goal difference.[34][35] After a training camp in Portugal in February 2012, Byrne was again selected for the under-17 squad for the elite round matches against Serbia, the Netherlands and Albania in March 2012.[36] He started all three games, but Ireland lost all three by a one-goal margin and finished bottom of their group,[37][38][39] bringing Byrne's under-17 career to a close.

Byrne was first named in the Ireland under-19s squad for their 2013 UEFA Under-19 qualifiers against Luxembourg, Macedonia and Germany in October 2012.[40] Byrne scored in Ireland's 5–2 win over Luxembourg[41] and their 2–2 draw with Germany,[42] and narrowly missed scoring in their 1–0 win over Macedonia[43] as the team qualified for the elite round in second place. A friendly double-header against the Czech Republic followed in February 2013; after coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 win on 5 February,[44] Byrne started the second match on 7 February, scoring Ireland's equaliser in a 1–1 draw.[45] He then started all three elite round matches against Switzerland, Slovakia and Serbia, scoring in the 2–2 draws against Switzerland and Slovakia.[46][47] However, he was unable to repeat the feat against Serbia and the match finished in a goalless draw; having needed a win to qualify, Ireland ultimately finished bottom of the group and were eliminated.[48]

Byrne continued in the under-19s for the 2013–14 season, captaining the side for a friendly against Norway on 13 August 2013,[49] before scoring after coming off the bench against the same opposition two days later.[50] After another friendly double-header against Slovenia in September 2013,[51] Byrne was named in the Ireland squad for their 2014 UEFA Under-19 qualifiers against Azerbaijan, Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina in October 2013,[52] only for an injury suffered while playing for the Manchester United youth team to rule him out of the entire campaign.[53]

Byrne was named in the squad for the Republic of Ireland U19 team for their UEFA elite qualifiers. He scored two crucial goals to secure a 2-1 win against Iceland in their first game.[54]

References

  1. ↑ "Barclays Premier League Squad Lists 2013/14 are revealed". premierleague.com. Premier League. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "Barclays Premier League Player Profile Sam Byrne". Premier League. 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Sam progressing at Theatre of Dreams". Leinster Leader. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  4. ↑ Marshall, Adam (10 August 2011). "Reds draft in scholars". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  5. ↑ Marshall, Adam (27 August 2011). "U18: Soton 4-2 United". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  6. ↑ Marshall, Adam (25 November 2011). "U18: United 1 Liverpool 2". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  7. ↑ Marshall, Adam (16 March 2013). "U18s: United 3 Fulham 1". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  8. ↑ Coppack, Nick (13 April 2013). "U18s: United 3 Southampton 0". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "Transfer Deadline Day: Carlisle sign Manchester United duo". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 31 January 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Bristol City 2-1 Carlisle". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 1 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  11. ↑ "Clubs submit retained and released lists". Premier League. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  12. ↑ "Club site article". Everton F.C. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "Ireland Under-15s held against Aspire in opener". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 14 December 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  14. ↑ "Aspire battle back to defeat Ireland U-15s". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 16 December 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  15. ↑ "Republic U15s complete double over North". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 23 May 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  16. ↑ "Ireland U16 score a good win in Ukraine". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 12 October 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  17. ↑ "U16s take deserved draw against Italy". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 14 October 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  18. ↑ "U16s undone by Danish comeback". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 16 October 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  19. ↑ "O'Neill nets Ireland U16 winner against Hungary". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 23 November 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  20. ↑ "Morling unveils squad for U16 tournament". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 28 February 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  21. ↑ "U16 squads for Belgium games unveiled". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 5 April 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  22. ↑ "Ireland U16s run Belgium close". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 12 April 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  23. ↑ "Under-17s finish 4th at Hungary tournament". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 9 August 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  24. ↑ "U17 squad selected for UEFA qualifiers". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 13 September 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  25. ↑ "Ireland beat Malta in UEFA U17 qualifier". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 25 September 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  26. ↑ "Ireland progress to UEFA U17 elite qualifiers". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 27 September 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  27. ↑ "Norway edge out Ireland U17 for top spot". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 1 October 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  28. ↑ "U17 squad unveiled for Italy double-header". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 31 January 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  29. ↑ "Irish U17’s strike late to claim 2-2 draw with Denmark". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 23 March 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  30. ↑ "Second draw keeps Under-17s in UEFA hunt". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 25 March 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  31. ↑ "Late anguish for Under-17s". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 28 March 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  32. ↑ "Morling finalises U17 squad for Serbia double-header". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 12 September 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  33. ↑ "U17s hit eight without reply against Liechtenstein". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 19 October 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  34. ↑ "Grealish keeps U17s in qualification hunt". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 21 October 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  35. ↑ "U17s qualify for UEFA elite phase". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 24 October 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  36. ↑ "U17 squad for UEFA elite qualifiers named". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 13 March 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  37. ↑ "Serbia shade U17 UEFA elite qualifier". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 22 March 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  38. ↑ "Dutch come from behind to defeat Irish U17s". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 25 March 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  39. ↑ "U17s complete UEFA qualifying campaign". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 27 March 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  40. ↑ "Paul Doolin announces squad for 2013 Qualifying Tournament". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 1 October 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  41. ↑ "U19s start UEFA Championships qualifiers with win in Luxembourg". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 11 October 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  42. ↑ "Ireland U19s secure impressive UEFA Championships draw with Germany". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 16 October 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  43. ↑ "Republic of Ireland U19s ensure UEFA progress". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 13 October 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  44. ↑ "Republic of Ireland U19s beat Czechs in friendly". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 5 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  45. ↑ "Republic of Ireland U19s draw with Czechs in friendly". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 8 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  46. ↑ "Ireland draw with Swiss in UEFA U19 opener". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 6 June 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  47. ↑ "U19s still in qualification contention after dramatic Slovak draw". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 8 June 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  48. ↑ "U19s exit UEFA Championships after draw with Serbia". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 11 June 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  49. ↑ "Ireland U19s lose friendly game by a single goal". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 13 August 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  50. ↑ "Ireland U19s suffer close defeat by Norway in friendly". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 15 August 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  51. ↑ "Doolin announces Ireland U19s squad for Slovenia friendlies". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 26 August 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  52. ↑ "Doolin announces Republic of Ireland U19 squad for UEFA qualifiers". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 9 October 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  53. ↑ "Ireland U19s prepare for UEFA qualifiers opening fixture". fai.ie (Football Association of Ireland). 9 October 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  54. ↑ http://www.fai.ie/international/under-19/104001-ireland-begin-uefa-u19-championships-elite-phase-with-win.html

External links