Background
Byrne was born in Drogheda, Ireland.
Byrne was born in Drogheda, Ireland.
Doubt had been cast over whether Byrne would have the funds to travel to Melbourne to participate in the 1956 Olympics. However, a fundraising campaign under the banner of "Send Byrne to Melbourne" was created, and it raised £653 from local businesses in Drogheda to send him on his quest for glory down under. Byrne carried the flag for Ireland at the opening ceremony and was the captain of the Irish boxing team
A few months later, he showed what might have been when he beat the eventual Gold Medallist, Dick McTaggart, in an Ireland-England International at the Royal Albert Hall.
Olympic results
1st round bye
Defeated Josef Chovanec (Czechoslovakia) points
Defeated Luis Molina (United States) points
Lost to Harry Kurschat (United Team of Germany) points
The Byrne"s settled in Canada and have a family of two girls and a set of twin boys. In 2006 a statue of Byrne was unveiled in his hometown.