Jack Byrne (M Shamrock Rovers b.1996)

[ColourfulPeanut]

People seem to be working off the assumption he hasn't had offers from elsewhere.

Some of the posts have been a bit pathetic. My Shane Duffy remark was entirely tongue in cheek.

From part time players, to 400 quid a week, you'd swear some Irish 'football fans' would prefer to see our league as some sort of laughing stock, rather than proud to see a day where a player from it becomes a genuine contender for a spot in our national side.

Let's not get started on the lone Dundalk fan who seems to have some sort of personal problem with Byrne.

Comparing Seani Maguire...who really only had one good season at Cork. He failed at several LOI clubs too.

Richie Towell who did look excellent at Dundalk, but spent the best part of his first year at Brighton injured and played catch up at Rotherham, before taking the easy option at Salford.

People are keen to point out LOI failures but forget our national team captain also came from here, as did several other members of the squad.
Nobody is pointing out that talent can't come from the LOI. Seamus Coleman was at Everton for 2 years playing and training at a high level before getting his first cap and even then he was younger than what Byrne is now.

Maguire had 1 good season in the LOI? No he didn't. He had 2 phenomenal seasons where at his best he was playing at a higher level than Byrne in my opinion. He scored 38 goals in 51 appearances. Where are these failed LOI stints? He smashed in goals at Waterford at 17, had a nothing loan spell at Sligo, didn't get a chance at Dundalk and left of his own accord before starring at City

Byrne has had what, 1.5 good seasons? They both had failed spells abroad too. How is that not a valid comparison for the relative jump in quality? You're literally twisting the truth to feed your own narrative.

You're making brash assumptions about people's views on the LOI. I love the LOI and was a season ticket holder before I moved away from home and catch as many games as I can nowadays. I've seen enough of it in person to know the pace and quality doesn't match up to the top leagues in England and international football. I've seen plenty of LOI superstars go abroad and be immediately lost in the shuffle. Sorry for the bare truth is that the LOI isn't a high standard at all and there's some very poor players in the league.

I need to be convinced Byrne can actually play at a higher level because every chance he's had so far abroad, he's been sent packing. He is very technically sound and I hope I'm 100% wrong on all this, but I can't see him contributing at a higher level. The game will pass him IMO.

[The Lilywhites]

People seem to be working off the assumption he hasn't had offers from elsewhere.

Some of the posts have been a bit pathetic. My Shane Duffy remark was entirely tongue in cheek.

From part time players, to 400 quid a week, you'd swear some Irish 'football fans' would prefer to see our league as some sort of laughing stock, rather than proud to see a day where a player from it becomes a genuine contender for a spot in our national side.

Let's not get started on the lone Dundalk fan who seems to have some sort of personal problem with Byrne.

Comparing Seani Maguire...who really only had one good season at Cork. He failed at several LOI clubs too.

Richie Towell who did look excellent at Dundalk, but spent the best part of his first year at Brighton injured and played catch up at Rotherham, before taking the easy option at Salford.

People are keen to point out LOI failures but forget our national team captain also came from here, as did several other members of the squad.

Maybe he's had offers from elsewhere, but he's not going to go. He's found his comfort zone and he's happy to stay in it.

I'm not convinced he should be called up to the international squad, so I have a personal problem with him? Yeah...ok.

We've had to listen to this nonsense since the day he came to the LOI. He failed in England, he failed in Scotland, got relegated in Holland in what is a poor league overall in standard compared with the level we're talking about here.

He disappeared in the big LOI games v Dundalk and Bohs last year, and we still had to listen to mass hysteria calling for McCarthy to play him. Now Kenny says he's got into the squad on the back of performances against a Milan team having a kick about and Dundalk reserves. Kenny's bowed to pressure so that the Byrne Ireland campaign won't affect the build up to Slovakia, simple as that.

Players that have performed far better at LOI level (such as Towell, who you mention) have gone to the UK and disappeared off the radar.

Byrne must be delighted with all this attention when he's done very little in the LOI to warrant it. He's a good LOI player, that's it. Why would he come out of that comfort zone when, by past evidence, he'd get found out pretty quickly.

You then decide to bring Seamus Coleman into the conversation. That's just getting silly.

[Trequartista20]

Milan have signed young striker, Petter Hauge, based on his impressive Europa League performance against them for FK Bodo/Glimpt.

I wonder when they'll be putting that bid in for Byrne?

Indeed I wonder why Shamrock haven't received, presumably, any significant offer for the player? Hmm...

https://www.the42.ie/ac-milan-jens-petter-hauge-lucas-paqueta-5219887-Oct2020/

[Stuttgart88]

There was good debate on Byrne and use of Matt Doherty on RTE on Tuesday, with Kenny Cunningham and Alan Cawley. Both agreed that Byrne has attributes that no other midfielder we have has - mainly those of a continental style playmaker. We've got lots of huff and puff footballers in midfield, some with more quality than others, but Byrne has different qualities. My own view - a simple value judgment that nobody is compelled to agree with - is that regardless of his UK club experience or there being no public gossip about transfers he is an extremely good player, and I don't think he is "just" a good LOI player. But that's not the point. The point is that he offers something different to anyone else in contention for the squad, and in my opinion has a way of playing that we'd benefit from.

[youngirish]

Many of the LOI fans suffer from a large dose of bias that often borders on the ridiculous.

How many players who were playing in their mid 20s in the LOI turned out to be quality International players in recent years? For every Kevin Doyle, who turned out to be a good but unspectacular International player, there are 20 Daryl Horgans, Roy O'Donovans, Alan Bennetts, Karl Sheppards, Graham Burkes, Paddy Maddens and Jason Byrnes, all unable to make the grade at any decent level across the water.

Most League 1 teams would win the LOI if they competed in it and yet you don't hear the same guys asking for Anthony Scully or Sean Roughan to be included in the squad.

[pineapple stu]

Many of the LOI fans suffer from a large dose of bias that often borders on the ridiculous.

How many players who were playing in their mid 20s in the LOI turned out to be quality International players in recent years? For every Kevin Doyle, who turned out to be a good but unspectacular International player, there are 20 Daryl Horgans, Roy O'Donovans, Alan Bennetts, Karl Sheppards, Graham Burkes, Paddy Maddens and Jason Byrnes, all unable to make the grade at any decent level across the water.

Most League 1 teams would win the LOI if they competed in it and yet you don't hear the same guys asking for Anthony Scully or Sean Roughan to be included in the squad.
I actually agree with most of this tbh.

I think Byrne being considered for the Ireland squad says as much about how weak we are as it does about Byrne's ability.

Still, Byrne has proven himself in European competitions in particular (and on his Ireland debut). As Stutts says too, he offers something a bit different (he could have mentioned set piece ability too, where we're very reliant on Brady), and I think he's worth the inclusion. I don't see him being pivotal, but then you could say that about most playerrs.

I think on the internet it's very easy to get hunched down into two polar opposite trenches (he's ****e/great), and in general the reality is out in no-man's-land somewhere, waiting for both sides to emerge towards with a white flag of balance.

[paul_oshea]

Milan have signed young striker, Petter Hauge, based on his impressive Europa League performance against them for FK Bodo/Glimpt.

I wonder when they'll be putting that bid in for Byrne?

Indeed I wonder why Shamrock haven't received, presumably, any significant offer for the player? Hmm...

https://www.the42.ie/ac-milan-jens-petter-hauge-lucas-paqueta-5219887-Oct2020/

Ya perhaps puts the rovers result in some light as well. Seems like LOI sides can play against Norwegian/Swedish teams, but Norwegian and Swedish teams can play against the next level.

[Charlie Darwin]

Shane Duffy is a Premier League level footballer and has proven it. Jack Byrne got released by a League 1 club.

The nonsense being spouted here is that the lad can pop into an international level and be the creative spark when he's playing against part timers. If LOI translated, we'd have Seanie Maguire banging in goals up top for us.

He's a good player but expectations need to be low and I won't he sold until he performs at a high level and don't come at me with a few nice touches against Milan when Rovers barely had the ball the whole game.
You can continue saying Jack Byrne is playing against part-timers and it will continue not being true.

[pineapple stu]

He's certainly playing against a fair few part-timers though.

[Olé Olé]

I actually agree with most of this tbh.

I think Byrne being considered for the Ireland squad says as much about how weak we are as it does about Byrne's ability.

Still, Byrne has proven himself in European competitions in particular (and on his Ireland debut). As Stutts says too, he offers something a bit different (he could have mentioned set piece ability too, where we're very reliant on Brady), and I think he's worth the inclusion. I don't see him being pivotal, but then you could say that about most playerrs.

I think on the internet it's very easy to get hunched down into two polar opposite trenches (he's ****e/great), and in general the reality is out in no-man's-land somewhere, waiting for both sides to emerge towards with a white flag of balance.

I agree so much with the last paragraph. There are a multitude of arguments for and against Jack. He was released by Oldham. He didn't make it at Kilmarnock, Blackburn or Wigan. He's playing against lesser level players. On the other hand, he's the best player in the league. He executes pieces of world class individual skill. He looked comfortable against AC Milan's players.

The nature of the Byrne debate is divisive and his career so meandering that people will find evidence to support whatever point they want to make or whatever opinion they have.

Personally, I agree that the truth lies in the middle. I think he has traits that could help us immensely based on our lack of penetration against Bulgaria and Finland. I acknowledge that playing him, however, would represent a gamble as there is minimal evidence that he could hold his own. That makes it a little more frustrating for me that he wasn't played against Finland or Bulgaria.

[Trequartista20]

He's certainly playing against a fair few part-timers though.

I remember reading a report a couple of years ago that stated that the majority of LoI players relied on a second job to survive - James Talbot, for example, is a postman. Players also complained about turning up to training feeling tired as a consequence, and not being able to commit to their sport as much as they would like. This isn't the case even at League Two level.

There's clearly question marks over the standard at which Byrne is operating.

[ColourfulPeanut]

You can continue saying Jack Byrne is playing against part-timers and it will continue not being true.
Every LOI player is a full time professional training 5 times a week so yeah?

[Diggs246]

Every LOI player is a full time professional training 5 times a week so yeah?

Full time professional means they only have one job and that is football and that is simply not correct

[ColourfulPeanut]

Full time professional means they only have one job and that is football and that is simply not correct
I know that, I was arguing that they're not full time professionals. They're part-time because they don't train or get paid to be full time.

[ontheotherhand]

I agree so much with the last paragraph. There are a multitude of arguments for and against Jack. He was released by Oldham. He didn't make it at Kilmarnock, Blackburn or Wigan. He's playing against lesser level players. On the other hand, he's the best player in the league. He executes pieces of world class individual skill. He looked comfortable against AC Milan's players.

The nature of the Byrne debate is divisive and his career so meandering that people will find evidence to support whatever point they want to make or whatever opinion they have.

Personally, I agree that the truth lies in the middle. I think he has traits that could help us immensely based on our lack of penetration against Bulgaria and Finland. I acknowledge that playing him, however, would represent a gamble as there is minimal evidence that he could hold his own. That makes it a little more frustrating for me that he wasn't played against Finland or Bulgaria.


All fair enough but I'd add that his journey through the clubs mentioned has been fairly well documented and it wasn't always a case of him not being at the standard. Lot's going on with each of those moves and there's rarely mention of his time at Cambuur where he was top quality at a very high level. It also doesn't factor in his age at the time of all these moves or his mental state during them. He is still only 24 and has developed his game every year. He isn't the finished article and we see him adding elements to his game all the time. He is also hungry and determined so this isn't a case of a young lad losing his love for the game and dropping down the leagues.

Everything else I agree with; he isn't playing against international calibre players in the LOI but did look comfortable against Milan, has been the best player on the pitch against lesser European opponents and did very well against Bulgaria.

Will he light it up and control the game like he does at home if given the chance? Realistically I don't think so, it's a huge step up. But I think he can also hold his own and be a valuable part of a team. He very rarely loses the ball - even against Milan he was holding off challenges, beating players and creating chances despite being regularly double teamed - and won't have to pull all the strings for Ireland with better players around him than he is used to. I'd love to see him get 20 minutes. As mentioned, it would be worth having him on just for corners with Duffy on the field. It's a shame he wasn't fit or in form when the Nations League games were on.

The best comparison we probably have is Hoolahan. Jack is around that level in the LOI (but maybe with the extra weight of his performances in the Eredivisie) and we know Hoolahan was good enough to do a job. Does Jack need to go up a few leagues and develop further first? Probably, but no harm getting him some more international experience on the way.

[Charlie Darwin]

Every LOI player is a full time professional training 5 times a week so yeah?
No, they're not all full-time but most are.

[Diggs246]

This is an interesting article on the subjust

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/majority-of-irish-footballers-rely-on-second-job-due-to-poor-pay-1.2886354

[ColourfulPeanut]

No, they're not all full-time but most are.
Where's your source on most are? Every source I've seen says the majority have another job to support themselves.

[Charlie Darwin]

Where's your source on most are? Every source I've seen says the majority have another job to support themselves.
Em, the players? Finn Harps and Bohs (although I think most of them solely earn from football) are the only part-time teams. Some of the younger players at a few clubs go to college. The rest train all week in the mornings. I'm sure your sources are fantastic but some of us actually follow the League of Ireland.

[nigel-harps1954]

Em, the players? Finn Harps and Bohs (although I think most of them solely earn from football) are the only part-time teams. Some of the younger players at a few clubs go to college. The rest train all week in the mornings. I'm sure your sources are fantastic but some of us actually follow the League of Ireland.

Most of Harps squad are full time. There's a handful of them have a second job but most of the squad have football as their only income.

[pineapple stu]

I'm sure your sources are fantastic but some of us actually follow the League of Ireland.
In fairness, a Fifpro survey for me trumps a random punter claiming extra knowledge because he's in the terraces each week.

Now if the Fifpro survey included First Division players (and I don't know if it does or not), then you've a valid counter-argument against it as the FD would certainly skew the results towards part-time players.

Edit - in fact, read the article (duh)...

It does include First Division players. In 2016 (when the survey dates from), the PD/FD split was 12 v 8 teams. So if you assume the players were split accordingly, and that all the FD players had second jobs, the report is saying that 40% of PD players also have second jobs. Which is still a lot.

If Limerick - splashing the cash in the FD that year - had some full-time players, then that would reduce the number of PD full-timers.

[ColourfulPeanut]

Em, the players? Finn Harps and Bohs (although I think most of them solely earn from football) are the only part-time teams. Some of the younger players at a few clubs go to college. The rest train all week in the mornings. I'm sure your sources are fantastic but some of us actually follow the League of Ireland.
I follow the League of Ireland too, way to have a superiority complex about it though. I'm just not incredibly biased towards it. The FIFPro survey trumps you I'm afraid.

I'm glad you seem to know every team and player personally to know their arrangements.

[nigel-harps1954]

A four year old survey reflects the current league situation?

[pineapple stu]

A four year old survey reflects the current league situation?
Better than someone saying "Yeah, but I watch the league", sure.

Let's be honest, the league has hardly improved financially since then.

[ColourfulPeanut]

A four year old survey reflects the current league situation?
100%. If anything in those 4 years the League's financial situation has declined. Cork City are a shell of what they were in 2016 as just one example

I like how I automatically don't follow the League of Ireland because I'm a realist about it's situation. I love the LOI and would love to see us compete with any league. It's just not the reality right now. Unfortunate situation is that players have to leave to play at a higher level and Byrne has yet to do that in his career.

[sadloserkid]

It doesn't automatically follow that because the overall standard of the league isn't close to international standard that EVERY player in the league isn't good enough either though. I would completely agree that playing in the English Championship is much better preparation for any player aspiring to regular international football than playing in the League of Ireland (or, for that matter, in the SPL) but Byrne shouldn't be dismissed solely on the basis of the league he plays in. He's an outlier certainly but there could be any reason why he's happy to stay at Rovers. A lack of footballing ambition might even be one of those reasons but that wouldn't prove he's not good enough at the moment either.

Similarly his English career isn't quite the barren wasteland painted above either - he played 44 times in a year with Oldham and there was, to my newfound knowledge today, plenty of complaints from their fans when he was frozen out and eventually released (not that League One football would necessarily settle the debate one way or the other). He looked up to the standard required when he played for Ireland thus far (albeit in friendlies) and that's surely more relevant than how he did at Wigan 4 years ago at this point?

Ultimately Byrne, realistically, is a marginal call. Somebody else said it above that they find it a little bit strange that anybody is getting so heated over his inclusion one way or the other and I'd be firmly in that camp myself.

[Diggs246]

I dont think he is good enough, but I'm just starting to wonder is there off field issues? Why is no one looking to sign him? It's a very real concern, it might be nothing of course.

[paul_oshea]

Em, the players? Finn Harps and Bohs (although I think most of them solely earn from football) are the only part-time teams. Some of the younger players at a few clubs go to college. The rest train all week in the mornings. I'm sure your sources are fantastic but some of us actually follow the League of Ireland.

You mean go to games?

[paul_oshea]

100%. If anything in those 4 years the League's financial situation has declined. Cork City are a shell of what they were in 2016 as just one example

I like how I automatically don't follow the League of Ireland because I'm a realist about it's situation. I love the LOI and would love to see us compete with any league. It's just not the reality right now. Unfortunate situation is that players have to leave to play at a higher level and Byrne has yet to do that in his career.

Come on over to the League of Ireland forum. Welcome.

[passinginterest]

I dont think he is good enough, but I'm just starting to wonder is there off field issues? Why is no one looking to sign him? It's a very real concern, it might be nothing of course.

Maybe because he's a homebird, who isn't in a hurry to go away again and clubs have been made aware? He seems to have had a really hard time mentally in the last few years he was away, if he's home and happy and values that more than money and career advancement could anyone really blame him?

I wouldn't be overly surprised to see him move at the end of the domestic season, and I'd be amaze if an agent couldn't get him a championship side if he really wanted it. He's probably more suited to playing somewhere like Holland again though and you'd have to think he has some sort of links and reputation there after performing solidly previously. I do get the feeling he's just in a good place at home though and he's not in any hurry to jump into a move away again.

I'm married to someone who could be offered the Euro millions jackpot tomorrow but if she was told she'd have to move away to claim it and wouldn't be able to see her family for weeks on end I can absolutely guarantee she'd turn it down. Home and family can be an unbelievably strong draw for some, especially if they've had a traumatic experience away.

[elatedscum]

I wouldn't be overly surprised to see him move at the end of the domestic season, and I'd be amaze if an agent couldn't get him a championship side if he really wanted it. He's probably more suited to playing somewhere like Holland again though and you'd have to think he has some sort of links and reputation there after performing solidly previously. I do get the feeling he's just in a good place at home though and he's not in any hurry to jump into a move away again.

His agent is former Ireland international Graham Barrett I think

[seanfhear]

Maybe because he's a homebird, who isn't in a hurry to go away again and clubs have been made aware? He seems to have had a really hard time mentally in the last few years he was away, if he's home and happy and values that more than money and career advancement could anyone really blame him?

I wouldn't be overly surprised to see him move at the end of the domestic season, and I'd be amaze if an agent couldn't get him a championship side if he really wanted it. He's probably more suited to playing somewhere like Holland again though and you'd have to think he has some sort of links and reputation there after performing solidly previously. I do get the feeling he's just in a good place at home though and he's not in any hurry to jump into a move away again.

I'm married to someone who could be offered the Euro millions jackpot tomorrow but if she was told she'd have to move away to claim it and wouldn't be able to see her family for weeks on end I can absolutely guarantee she'd turn it down. Home and family can be an unbelievably strong draw for some, especially if they've had a traumatic experience away.
If she does win it can I have the Money ?

[passinginterest]

His agent is former Ireland international Graham Barrett I think

That would make sense, he represents a lot of the Rovers lads and ex league of Ireland players these days as far as I know.


If she does win it can I have the Money ?

It's mine, I'm more than happy to live away and only see her the odd time :D

[seanfhear]

If Only Eamonn Dunphy was still in his Prime and had the Hots for Jack ~ ~ ~

Just think Jack ~ ~ You could have been another of Eamonn Dunphy’s ~ ~ " Not Playing Messiahs "

You have been spared that Jack Byrne ! ! Praise the Lord ! !

Old Dunphy would be very unlikely to have the hots for a LOI player mind ! !

[SkStu]

Hi. I think im lost. Was looking for the "Glen Crowe for Ireland" thread and must have took a wrong turn..

[Diggs246]

"I'm married to someone who could be offered the Euro millions jackpot tomorrow but if she was told she'd have to move away to claim it and wouldn't be able to see her family for weeks on end I can absolutely guarantee she'd turn it down"

I'm getting this on a t-shirt

[youngirish]

I'm married to someone who could be offered the Euro millions jackpot tomorrow but if she was told she'd have to move away to claim it and wouldn't be able to see her family for weeks on end I can absolutely guarantee she'd turn it down. Home and family can be an unbelievably strong draw for some, especially if they've had a traumatic experience away.

You would have to offer me the jackpot to stay if it meant hanging around with my family and old friends.

Jack Byrne grew up in the North Inner City very close to me and I remember from my youth thinking how the streets were paved with gold.

[paul_oshea]

"I'm married to someone who could be offered the Euro millions jackpot tomorrow but if she was told she'd have to move away to claim it and wouldn't be able to see her family for weeks on end I can absolutely guarantee she'd turn it down"

I'm getting this on a t-shirt

WHat kind of t-shirt will it be? A wedding dress?

[Charlie Darwin]

In fairness, a Fifpro survey for me trumps a random punter claiming extra knowledge because he's in the terraces each week.

Now if the Fifpro survey included First Division players (and I don't know if it does or not), then you've a valid counter-argument against it as the FD would certainly skew the results towards part-time players.

Edit - in fact, read the article (duh)...

It does include First Division players. In 2016 (when the survey dates from), the PD/FD split was 12 v 8 teams. So if you assume the players were split accordingly, and that all the FD players had second jobs, the report is saying that 40% of PD players also have second jobs. Which is still a lot.

If Limerick - splashing the cash in the FD that year - had some full-time players, then that would reduce the number of PD full-timers.
A Fifpro survey from four years ago doesn't have any relevance to now. Right now, most players in the league are full time, don't work other jobs and for the most part train during the day. There's a few reasons for that but the numbers of professionals have gone up quite significantly in the past few years.

[Charlie Darwin]

You mean go to games?
Only home games, still working on my YBIG credentials.

[Charlie Darwin]

I follow the League of Ireland too, way to have a superiority complex about it though. I'm just not incredibly biased towards it. The FIFPro survey trumps you I'm afraid.

I'm glad you seem to know every team and player personally to know their arrangements.
I'm not saying it to have a superiority complex, I'm saying it because you seem to be basing your knowledge off google. Of the 10 Premier Division clubs, eight of them train during the day, which precludes most supplementary work. The other two, as Nigel pointed out with Harps, have a large number of players who also do nothing but get paid to play football. I know there are players who still work outside of football but it's a small number. In fact, there are plenty of players who will drop down to the First Division or lower so they can keep their day jobs because it is no longer feasible to do both.

[pineapple stu]

He's linked in a FIFA survey of LoI players, which you've dismissed for no reason at all (I've already responded to Nigel who tried to dismiss it for being four years old) while insisting that you know better just because, it seems, you watch the games.

I don't think your argument is reasonable here.

[Charlie Darwin]

Fine, I'll drop out of the discussion. The vast majority don't have second jobs but no point arguing the point.

[pineapple stu]

In fairness, you never really entered the discussion.

Your sum contribution is -


You can continue saying Jack Byrne is playing against part-timers and it will continue not being true.
Just your opinion.


I'm sure your sources are fantastic but some of us actually follow the League of Ireland.
I can understand where the superiority complex accusation came from reading this.


A Fifpro survey from four years ago doesn't have any relevance to now.
It really does, for reasons that have been discussed on the thread.

So in effect, you've just waded in, made a claim, given no back-up for it whatsoever, and then gone into a strop when people have challenged that with actual evidence (ie Fifpro)

Those making the case on the part-time nature of the LoI may still be wrong of course - but at least they're trying to enter into a discussion. Your position is that you're right, and any evidence to the contrary must be wrong.

That's not a discussion.

[Bungle]

Heard from a reliable source that he's been offered a contract with a Cypriot team. The fella said it's the club where Mick is.

[paul_oshea]

In fairness, you never really entered the discussion.

Your sum contribution is -


Just your opinion.


I can understand where the superiority complex accusation came from reading this.


It really does, for reasons that have been discussed on the thread.

So in effect, you've just waded in, made a claim, given no back-up for it whatsoever, and then gone into a strop when people have challenged that with actual evidence (ie Fifpro)

Those making the case on the part-time nature of the LoI may still be wrong of course - but at least they're trying to enter into a discussion. Your position is that you're right, and any evidence to the contrary must be wrong.

That's not a discussion.

Well said.

[Trequartista20]

Mr Bungle mentioned APOEL as a possible destination for Byrne some weeks ago. Do we think this would be a good move?

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/jack-byrne-considering-cyprus-move-to-link-up-with-mick-mccarthy-at-apoel-39832173.html

The Cypriot League is ranked 14th by UEFA, ahead of the Greek and Swiss leagues, the LoI behind Luxembourg's and Liechtenstein's.

[nigel-harps1954]

Mr Bungle mentioned APOEL as a possible destination for Byrne some weeks ago. Do we think this would be a good move?

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/jack-byrne-considering-cyprus-move-to-link-up-with-mick-mccarthy-at-apoel-39832173.html

The Cypriot League is ranked 14th by UEFA, ahead of the Greek and Swiss leagues, the LoI behind Luxembourg's and Liechtenstein's.

Lot of Pro's and Con's really.

Pro's:

Lot of money among the top teams there.
Naturally, be playing in warm weather and on good pitches for the vast majority of the season.
Knows the manager already.
Likely be an English speaking group, with McCarthy in charge.
Probably a decent wage bump for him, although it's said there's a very healthy offer on the table from Shamrock Rovers for him.

Con's:

It's not the most stable league (same can, of course be said for the LOI)
APOEL have had 9 managers since 2017. (As well as a tenth interim manager)
Attendances are poor enough in Cyprus, not a whole lot better than LOI for the best part.
Well out of the way for Stephen Kenny to go to watch him play.
APOEL have had a poor start to the season and are highly unlikely to win the league this year, barring some sort of miracle turnaround, so there'd be a race to even qualify for the Europa League, never mind the Champions League. Cypriot teams only start in the next qualifying round to the LOI sides. They failed to qualify for Europa League group stages this season too.

There's a fair whack of money pumped into the top sides in Cyprus, so that's the single best thing he'll get out of it. Standard of the top teams is undoubtedly higher than that of the LOI, so it'll be more competitive for the best part.

I'm not entirely convinced of the move to be honest, and that's without a shred of LOI bias here. I'd like to see him hold out for a bigger move tbh. Rumoured interest from England and MLS too. Somewhat cliché by now, but somewhere like Belgium or Holland would be a far better suit for him.

[Trequartista20]

I was slightly underwhelmed by the link to be honest, but it does represent a step up in standard, and the likes of Hungary, Finland. Norway, Slovakia and Greece are happy to call up players from the Cypriot First Division.

[pineapple stu]

Kenny can get Mick to send reports. Or he can probably watch a stream if needs be.

Liechtenstein doesn't have a league btw, so while the LoI is behind it in the UEFA coefficients, it's not correct to imply we're behind the Liechtenstein league. Their coefficient is FC Vaduz, who are just a Swiss first/second tier side who happen to play in Liechtenstein.

APOEL are only 6/7 points off Europe less then half way through the season. Long way to go yet.

I think it's a clear step up for him. It's only a pity APOEL are out of Europe, because it is the kind of league where you may well find yourself moving on by the end of the season.