Career
Byrne was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion. At club level Byrne played with the club In retirement from playing Byrne became involved in team management and coaching.
After spending two seasons as manager of the under-21 team he became a selector under Ollie Baker with the senior team
Club Inter-county He made his debut in a National Hurling League game against Antrim in 1998. Later that year he made his championship debut against Meath before lining out in his first provincial decider.
Kilkenny provided the opposotion on that occasion, however, a 3-10 to 1-11 defeat was Byrne"s lot on that occasion. This defeat prompted the manager, Babs Keating, to describe the team as "sheep in a heap", and he promptly resigned.
lieutenant looked as if "s championship hopes were in disarray, however, they overcame Antrim in the All-Ireland quarter-final and qualified to meet Clare in the semi-final.
The first game ended in a draw and had to be replayed, however, the replay was ended early because of a time-keeping error by the referee Jimmy Cooney. Following a protest on the pitch of Croke Park by the supporters it was decided that Clare and would meet for a third time. On that day Brian Whelahan delivered one of his greatest-ever performances, scoring 1-6. reversed the final defeat by winning the All-Ireland final by 2-13 to 1-16.
lieutenant was Byrne"s first All-Ireland medal. surrendered their All-Ireland crown the following year but returned to the All-Ireland decider again in 2000 in a repeat of the final.
Kilkenny"s Doctorate.J. Carey capitalised on an mistake after just six minutes to start a goal-fest for "the Cats". Carey scored 2–4 in all, sharing his second goal with Henry Shefflin who also scored a goal in the second-half.
At the full-time whistle Kilkenny were the champions by 5–15 to 1–14. The next two seasons saw exit the provincial championship at an early stage.
Byrne was dropped as first-choice goalkeeper in 2003 and left the panel after the completion of the championship.
Inter-provincial Byrne also lined out with in the inter-provincial series of games. In 2009 Byrne was appointed manager of the under-21 hurling team He enjoyed little success during his two seasons in charge.
In 2012 Byrne replaced Paudge Mulhaire on Ollie Baker"s senior hurling management team
Team Individual.
