Early career Byrne grew up in
Bluebell, Dublin, and played for
Bluebell United as a child before being recruited by
Oxford United. He made his league debut as a 16-year-old against
Barnsley . Byrne played about 30 games for Oxford and moved to
Arsenal, where he spent six months in the reserve team under
George Armstrong without making a first team appearance.
Bangor He moved to Northern Ireland and signed for
Bangor in the
Irish League. He entered Bangor folklore by scoring the winner against
Ards in the 1993
Irish Cup Final. This was his 21st goal that season.
Celtic This sort of form attracted
Liam Brady who took him to
Celtic and gave him his debut on 6 October 1993 as a substitute against
St Johnstone. He made 28 league appearances in two seasons at Celtic and scored four goals, two of them in the
Old Firm derby. He went out on loan to
Brighton & Hove Albion and scored once in eight appearances before returning to Celtic.
Southend United In August 1995 he left Celtic and signed for
Ronnie Whelan's
Southend United side for a fee of £80,000. It was downhill from then on for Byrne at the club, and they were relegated at the end of his second season at
Roots Hall.
Glenavon Byrne returned to Northern Ireland and signed for
Glenavon, where he won another
Irish Cup winners' medal.
Bohemians After playing a few reserve games for
Shelbourne, Byrne signed for
Bohemians in January 1999. Bohs had a disastrous season and escaped relegation only by beating
Cobh Ramblers in a relegation play-off. The next season was a different story as Bohs challenged Shelbourne all the way before fading away and finishing third. They also reached the
FAI Cup Final under the captaincy of Byrne but lost 1–0 to Shels.
Philadelphia With Byrne's contract having expired at
Dalymount Park, he went off to America for the summer months and played in Philadelphia.
St Patrick's Athletic He returned to Ireland in time for the beginning of the 2000/01 season and signed for home town club
St Patrick's Athletic.
Back to Bohemians He spent only a few months at
Richmond Park before
Roddy Collins arrived, and Byrne 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 bit 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, 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 second 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.
Later career Byrne went on to play for
Kilkenny City,
Dundalk St James' Gate and
Houston Hurricanes FC. ==International career==