Byrne pens new two year deal with AFL side Carlton

Ciaran Byrne

Former Louth GAA star Ciaran ‘Casey’ Byrne has signed a new two-year deal with AFL side Carlton.

The Louth Village man joined the Melbourne based side two years ago and made his AFL debut versus Essendon earlier this year.

After beginning the match as the substitute, the 20-year-old impressed in his first outing gathering nine disposals, one mark and laying a solid tackle.

Carlton’s Head of Football Andrew McKay said he had earned the opportunity despite a recent injury setback.

“Ciaran has shown he can be a really exciting player for us and it’s a credit to him how quickly he’s picked up the game.
“It was really unfortunate he suffered an injury at training the week after making his debut, but we’re looking forward to seeing his development next year with another full pre-season under his belt.”

Tweeting about his new deal, which will see him remain Down Under until at least 2017, Byrne said: “Delighted to be a part of this great club for another 2 years @CarltonFC. Bring on 2016 #UpTheBaggers“

Byrne suffers injury setback Down Under

Ciaran Byrne

Local AFL star Ciaran Byrne has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury.

The Louth Village man, who plays for Carlton in Australia, has been sidelined since April with a hamstring problem.

The injury came at a time when the former Louth GAA player – nicknamed ‘Casey’ – was just breaking into the side.

He had been just feeling his way back into the action in recent weeks but Head of Football at Carlton Andrew McKay has revealed that he has suffered another setback.

“Ciaran Byrne unfortunately hurt his hamstring again, same hamstring but different spot this time, which is really unfortunate after his good game with the Northern Blues the week before,” McKay said.

“He’s out for 4-5 weeks, which is very unfortunate for him and for us because we were looking forward to having him back in the senior team before too long, but now we’re hopeful that he will find his way back just before the end of the year.”

Byrne suffers injury blow after AFL debut

Ciaran Byrne

Louth Village man Ciaran ‘Casey’ Byrne’s AFL career has suffered a blow after barely getting out of the starting blocks.

The 20-year-old made his debut for Carlton against Essendon last weekend and despite his side losing, he impressed coach Mick Malthouse after gathering nine disposals, one mark and two tackles in just over a quarter of football after coming off the bench.

Now though, the former Louth and St Mochta’s GAA player has suffered a hamstring injury, ruling him out of Saturday’s ANZAC Day clash against St Kilda in Wellington.

Byrne limped from the oval after straining his hamstring in Wednesday’s main training session.

Scans have revealed it’s a low-grade hamstring strain, which is likely to sideline Byrne for three weeks.

Malthouse told the club website it was a blow for both Carlton and the player.

“This setback is disappointing for him and for us, but I’m sure we will see him playing again in the not too distant future.”

Video package put together ahead of Byrne’s AFL debut

Carlton Football Club have put together a video package with Ciaran Byrne and his parents ahead of his AFL debut this weekend in Saturday’s clash against Essendon at the MCG.

After being named in the Carlton team for the weekend’s clash, his parents Declan and Pauline immediately hopped on a plane to join him.

The former St Mochta’s and Louth GAA player will be lining out alongside Laois man Zach Tuohy. The 20-year-old, whose older brother Declan still plays for the Wee County, was upgraded last week from the rookie list after team-mate Cameron Giles was ruled out with a long-term injury.

That has led to Byrne – nicknamed ‘Casey’ – being named as a half-back on the Carlton team for this Saturday’s game. The Melbourne-based side will be looking to bounce back from defeats in their opening two games against Richmond Tigers and West Coast Eagles.

Byrne signed with Carlton as an International Rookie at the end of the 2013 season and played 14 games in the Victoria Football League last year for the Northern Blues, an affiliate club of Carlton. He has also represented Ireland at International Rules level.

 

Byrne to make AFL debut this weekend

Ciaran Byrne in his AFL gear

Louth Village man Ciaran Byrne will make his AFL debut this weekend after being named in the Carlton team for Saturday’s clash against Essendon at the MCG.

The former St Mochta’s and Louth GAA player will be lining out alongside Laois man Zach Tuohy. The 20-year-old, whose older brother Declan still plays for the Wee County, was upgraded last week from the rookie list after team-mate Cameron Giles was ruled out with a long-term injury.

That has led to Byrne – nicknamed ‘Casey’ – being named as a half-back on the Carlton team for this Saturday’s game. The Melbourne-based side will be looking to bounce back from defeats in their opening two games against Richmond Tigers and West Coast Eagles.

Byrne signed with Carlton as an International Rookie at the end of the 2013 season and played 14 games in the Victoria Football League last year for the Northern Blues, an affiliate club of Carlton. He has also represented Ireland at International Rules level.

Byrne triumphs in Cic Saor

This year’s Corona Cic Saor All Ireland Champion, Declan Byrne, being presented with his cheque for €5000 by Jack O’Shea.

Declan Byrne was the winner of the All-Ireland Cic Saor Championship at Oriel Park yesterday.

The Louth and St Mochta’s footballer took the first prize of €5,000 ahead of a top class field, which included his Wee County team-mates Paddy Keenan and Derek Maguire.

The Louth Village man’s success makes it a fantastic year for the Byrne family, with younger brother Ciaran bursting into the county side this year before signing a two year contract with AFL side Carlton.

The event, which was in aid of Dundalk Young Irelands GFC, was sponsored by Corona Light.

Big things expected of Byrne Down Under

Ciaran Byrne in his AFL gear

Louth forward Ciaran Byrne is set to swap the GAA field for the Aussie Rules pitch after flying Down Under to team up with AFL side Carlton.

The Melbourne-based club first spotted Byrne when he was 16-years-old but two years on he has finally found himself at Visy Park, where he is being put through his paces by coaching staff at present, with a view to a permanent deal.

Ciaran, who hails from Louth Village, burst into the Wee County’s senior setup this year under new boss Aidan O’Rourke and even found the net in their Qualifier victory over Antrim at the end of June.

Indeed, Louth’s championship run delayed Byrne’s departure to Australia but he has wasted no time in impressing the Carlton staff with recruitment manager Wayne Hughes telling the club’s website he is amazed at how well the 18-year-old has slotted in at training.

“If you’d have said to someone the other day, there is someone out there training for the first time, you wouldn’t have been able to pick who it was.

“Aussie Rules at this level is not an easy game to play both on and off the field – there are little tests about your character. We have put Ciaran through it all, to see whether he can stack up, and I think he understands that.

“He’s a very good player. He’s got all the athletic qualities that you look for. The ball skills and game style are the hardest things to learn.”

Byrne will be teaming up with Laois native Zach Tuohy at Carlton in the coming season and has the backing of his family, including older brother and fellow Louth footballer Declan, in making the transition from the GAA to the AFL.