Career
He started his career as a Forward but midway through his career switched to Centre back. Byrne played schoolboy football for Home Farm and made his League of Ireland debut on 12 October 1973 for that club against Street Patrick"s Athletic. The closest he came to winning a trophy was playing on the FAI Cup final losing Drogheda side of 1976.
When he left Drogheda in 1983 he was their all time leading goal scorer with 47.
Byrne signed for Belfast club Crusaders in 1983. He then joined Ards F.C. of Newtownards.
Byrne joined Shamrock Rovers in the summer of 1987 but despite making one appearance in the European Cup in October of that year was persuaded by Brian Kerr to join his new look Street Patrick"s Athletic side. Kerr had signed several young players and felt he needed an experienced defender to lead the team
In 1990 Byrne went one better as he became the first Street Patrick"s Athletic captain in 34 years to lift the League of Ireland trophy.
He was voted the Personality of the Year by the Soccer Writer of Ireland to complete his North/South double. Byrne missed the majority of the following season as a knee injury threatened his career. He came back in 1991/92 but mainly played back up as Street Pats young defenders took over.
He retired from playing in 1993 to take as assistant manager role at Bohemians.
He stayed with Bohs less than a season and began managing local junior side Lusk United.
