# Paul Byrne (footballer, born 1972)

Paul Peter Byrne (born 30 June 1972 in Dublin) is a former Irish football player who played as a midfielder during the 1990s and 2000s.

## Club career
### 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 alongside the likes of Ray Houghton. 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. He began well initially at Southend and impressed Birmingham City enough for them to make a £750,000 bid for him. 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.

## Management career

2009 Hemel Hempstead Town FC 2023 Golden Port AFC

## International career

Byrne was capped at Under-15, Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, Under-21 level and "B" level for Ireland and was included in numerous full international squad but never made an appearance. Byrne played in two qualifiers in the 1990 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship qualifying campaign and in the 1990 UEFA European Under-18 Championship.

## Legacy and awards

One of the most talented players to come out of Ireland in the last 25 years, Byrne is remembered for his time at Celtic and Bohemians. He often appears in the Sky Sports Masters Football for his former club Celtic alongside other legends, such as Paul McStay and Tom Boyd.
Byrne won Northern Ireland PFA Player of the Year and Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Player of the Year in 1993 while playing for Bangor F.C.

## Personal life

In September 2024, Byrne appeared in court, accused of assaulting a woman.

## Honours

* League of Ireland: 1
** Bohemians – 2001
* Irish Cup: 1
** Bangor F.C. – 1992–93
* Irish League Cup: 1
** Bangor F.C. – 1992–93