Jack Byrne (M Shamrock Rovers b.1996)

[Trequartista20]

FC Vaduz are in the Swiss top flight now, but you are of course right in pointing out that Liechtenstein doesn't have a domestic league of its own.

My point was more that while some people will probably be dismissive a move to the Cypriot leagueit is 23 places ahead of the LoI in the UEFA country coefficients and it does have a number of international players playing in it.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, and of course when Sheridan was there (playing in the CL groups in the Camp Nou), he wasn't good enough to be in the national squad. Yet in a way, if Byrne is a fringe player at best on the national team (which is now poorer than five years ago), that makes the Cypriot league a reasonable place for him to move to.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yeah, and of course when Sheridan was there (playing in the CL groups in the Camp Nou), he wasn't good enough to be in the national squad. Yet in a way, if Byrne is a fringe player at best on the national team (which is now poorer than five years ago), that makes the Cypriot league a reasonable place for him to move to.
Sheridan's competition was a good deal stronger than Byrne's to be fair. And Sheridan was probably always a bit short of the minimum standard.

A move to Cyprus would be a step forward for Jack. Obviously don't want to lose him but it'd be silly to think it isn't an opportunity for him to improve against better opposition.

[seanfhear]

A nice place to play football. If it was a decent financial option and there was no considerably better offers why not go for it ? Also a manager he knows.

[Fixer82]

Sheridan's competition was a good deal stronger than Byrne's to be fair. And Sheridan was probably always a bit short of the minimum standard.

A move to Cyprus would be a step forward for Jack. Obviously don't want to lose him but it'd be silly to think it isn't an opportunity for him to improve against better opposition.


I still think out of sight, out of mind.
Even if he is playing at a higher level, it's hard not to think he'll be ignored cos he's not playing in UK or Ireland. Or even western continental Europe

[Razors left peg]

If he goes to Cyprus its a financial move and nothing else. Football wise its not much better than a step sideways. He'd be better off trying to get a move to the MLS.

[pineapple stu]

The MLS must be one of the world's most over-rated leagues tbh. And financially, it's not great for a surprisingly large chunk of the players involved.

[John83]

If he goes to Cyprus its a financial move and nothing else. Football wise its not much better than a step sideways. He'd be better off trying to get a move to the MLS.
How do you figure that? The Cypriot league is miles better than the LoI.

The MLS is a career graveyard unless you're a star player to begin with.

[seanfhear]

Cyprus in an Irish Winter = = I’m Orf.

[Razors left peg]

Im far from suggesting that he move to the MLS, Im equating it with the Cypriot league to be honest. But it is more high profile and financially would be better than what he would earn in Cyprus.

IF and its a big if, Byrne is serious about becoming a high level footballer his next move is critical. I would probably rather he go somewhere like Nicosia than Millwall from a style of football perspective, but Id rather he go to a good footballing team in the Championship.

[pineapple stu]

It's really hard to judge salaries. Here's a salary chart for the MLS in 2018 for example (they publish individual salaries every year) -

https://i.redd.it/q5f0mup122u11.jpg

Median (ie what half the players earn less than) is $140k, or about E115k. That's not huge money - E2.2k a week. Wouldn't be much of an increase from his time at Rovers I'd say. I don't see what Byrne has done to be in the top half of earners, but in any event you can see it increases very slowly until the top 6/7%

APOEL's budget is around E10m a year, so they could easily match the MLS for salaries. Say two-thirds of that is salaries - that means they're paying E130k a week in salaries. That'd include admin staff, coaches, star players taking a good chunk, etc, etc - but you can see they could probably afford E2-3k a week easily enough.

Obviously covid is going to play havoc with budgets everywhere.

Is the MLS higher profile than Cyprus? I don't know it is. Playing in Europe with a top Cypriot team would have him in some decent grounds (Sevilla, Ajax and Basel last year for example; Dortmund, Spurs and Bayern two years before). No MLS team will get you that kind of exposure.

[Razors left peg]

It's really hard to judge salaries. Here's a salary chart for the MLS in 2018 for example (they publish individual salaries every year) -

https://i.redd.it/q5f0mup122u11.jpg

Median (ie what half the players earn less than) is $140k, or about E115k. That's not huge money - E2.2k a week. Wouldn't be much of an increase from his time at Rovers I'd say. I don't see what Byrne has done to be in the top half of earners, but in any event you can see it increases very slowly until the top 6/7%

APOEL's budget is around E10m a year, so they could easily match the MLS for salaries. Say two-thirds of that is salaries - that means they're paying E130k a week in salaries. That'd include admin staff, coaches, star players taking a good chunk, etc, etc - but you can see they could probably afford E2-3k a week easily enough.

Obviously covid is going to play havoc with budgets everywhere.

Is the MLS higher profile than Cyprus? I don't know it is. Playing in Europe with a top Cypriot team would have him in some decent grounds (Sevilla, Ajax and Basel last year for example; Dortmund, Spurs and Bayern two years before). No MLS team will get you that kind of exposure.

Jaysus how to you argue with someone who brings a chart to the arguement LOL.

Fair points though. I do still think that going to Cyprus to Mick McCarthy is a bit of a weird one though and possibly just speculation. Mick didnt rate Byrne too highly when he was Ireland manager and most likely wont even be there by end of season judging by how quickly they go through pmanagers.

I really dont want Byrne in MLS or Cyprus. I'd love to see him go back to Holland, but the more realistic option might be a Bournemouth

[pineapple stu]

Us accountants can sniff a chart out from miles away. :)

On a side note, it is really weird that the MLS publish the salaries of every player each year. Here's 2019 for example (https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide). Has no-one thought to say "That's none of your ****ing business"?

[Razors left peg]

Us accountants can sniff a chart out from miles away. :)

On a side note, it is really weird that the MLS publish the salaries of every player each year. Here's 2019 for example (https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide). Has no-one thought to say "That's none of your ****ing business"?

It happens with all sports over here. Its for salary cap reasons in NFL and NBA so I suppose its expected in all sports

[Charlie Darwin]

I still think out of sight, out of mind.
Even if he is playing at a higher level, it's hard not to think he'll be ignored cos he's not playing in UK or Ireland. Or even western continental Europe
Kenny has experienced up close the gulf in standard between the League of Ireland and Cyprus so I doubt he'd be one to turn up his nose. The scouting videos, etc, would all be more extensive for there than they are here, and presumably by next year Kenny will be spending more time at games in England than Ireland.

[pineapple stu]

It happens with all sports over here. Its for salary cap reasons in NFL and NBA so I suppose its expected in all sports

Surely you can just publish them to the MLS rather than to everyone though?

[Charlie Darwin]

Us accountants can sniff a chart out from miles away. :)

On a side note, it is really weird that the MLS publish the salaries of every player each year. Here's 2019 for example (https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide). Has no-one thought to say "That's none of your ****ing business"?
I think it's partly because leagues are allowed operate openly as cartels there, so there's complete openness about salaries so that players and players' unions can deal with full information as a sop.

[seanfhear]

It happens with all sports over here. Its for salary cap reasons in NFL and NBA so I suppose its expected in all sports
Funnily enough Sport in America can be a ‘ bit ‘ socialist. In American Football the weaker teams get the best picks in the draft of players from the colleges ~ ~ well it used to be that way, I haven’t kept up with this for years.

[Charlie Darwin]

Funnily enough Sport in America can be a ‘ bit ‘ socialist. In American Football the weaker teams get the best picks in the draft of players from the colleges ~ ~ well it used to be that way, I haven’t kept up with this for years.
The 'socialist' thing is overblown. American sport is hypercapitalist - the leagues are cartels controlled by the rich and they distribute some resources among themselves to the exclusion of others. I suppose you could compare it to Russian communist party.

[seanfhear]

The 'socialist' thing is overblown. American sport is hypercapitalist - the leagues are cartels controlled by the rich and they distribute some resources among themselves to the exclusion of others. I suppose you could compare it to Russian communist party.
I did say a ‘ bit ‘ re the draft of young players.

[nigel-harps1954]

1336670727831957504

This Twitter post from Jack certainly hints that his time at Rovers is done anyway.

[Colbert Report]

Yeah, that tweet definitely indicates that he's done with Shamrock Rovers. Hopefully he can get a club in League 1 or 2 and actually get some matches over in England.

[tetsujin1979]

You'd hope he's aiming higher than league two

[Eirambler]

I'd rather he went to Cyprus than League 1 or League 2. If he's not going to be at least playing at Championship level then I don't think England is the right move for him.

[Trequartista20]

Yeah, that tweet definitely indicates that he's done with Shamrock Rovers. Hopefully he can get a club in League 1 or 2 and actually get some matches over in England.

England being the be-all and end-all of course...

[nigel-harps1954]

Yeah, that tweet definitely indicates that he's done with Shamrock Rovers. Hopefully he can get a club in League 1 or 2 and actually get some matches over in England.

Yes.. let's all hope he takes a step sideways in his aim to be a regular senior international.

[ColourfulPeanut]

Even if you think the levels are equal it's still a step up in terms of money, job security, attention and overall level of opponent.

He could be a superstar in the LOI for years to come and would never get a move higher than the Championship. If he goes to League 1 and does well, he could move up very quickly.

[samhaydenjr]

Yes.. let's all hope he takes a step sideways in his aim to be a regular senior international.

Yes... in the same way that Ronan Curtis took a step backwards (according to Kenny Shiels), when he moved from Derry to Portsmouth, probably doubled his income instantly and two years later made it triple or quadruple what he was earning... and earned six caps

[Colbert Report]

You'd hope he's aiming higher than league two

Is he good enough for League 1 though? If he fancies himself as a Championship player, he should get some games under his belt in the lower leagues to show what he can do. I'd rather that than sitting on the bench of a Championship club, or going off to Cyprus as has been widely rumoured.

[nigel-harps1954]

Even if you think the levels are equal it's still a step up in terms of money, job security, attention and overall level of opponent.

He could be a superstar in the LOI for years to come and would never get a move higher than the Championship. If he goes to League 1 and does well, he could move up very quickly.
Money, job security and attention all very arguable there.


Yes... in the same way that Ronan Curtis took a step backwards (according to Kenny Shiels), when he moved from Derry to Portsmouth, probably doubled his income instantly and two years later made it triple or quadruple what he was earning... and earned six caps

Ronan Curtis being a local player earning a decent wage at Derry is quite substantially different to Jack Byrne being the highest paid player in the LOI. And he's got three caps for Ireland while playing here that he might otherwise have not got playing league one.

[Colbert Report]

Hearing some talk that he may come to the MLS. It would be a great move for him, he'd get lots of time on the ball and be afforded the space to be creative.

[geysir]

It must be gut wrenching for Jack to consider leaving Tallaght and move to a kip like Cyprus.
According to Jack he has other options as well.

If he does leave the well beaten FAI cup finalists, I take it that he leaves on a Bosman?

[Razors left peg]

Is he good enough for League 1 though? If he fancies himself as a Championship player, he should get some games under his belt in the lower leagues to show what he can do. I'd rather that than sitting on the bench of a Championship club, or going off to Cyprus as has been widely rumoured.

He is a 24 year old full international who has been playing regular 1st team football, including in Europe. He has "shown" what he can do and its up to the right club to sign him and find a place where he improves their team, thats how scouting works.

[Charlie Darwin]

It must be gut wrenching for Jack to consider leaving Tallaght and move to a kip like Cyprus.
According to Jack he has other options as well.

If he does leave the well beaten FAI cup finalists, I take it that he leaves on a Bosman?
He's out of contract and older than 23 so he can move for free, Funnily enough, if he went to the UK it wouldn't strictly be a Bosman as the ruling only applied to EU/EEA members, but UEFA have adopted it nonetheless.

Although, strictly speaking Rovers probably could refuse to transfer Jack's registration to a UK club, but I doubt any club would attempt such a thing.

[Demesne Lad]

There's a rumour on 'Deepdale Digest' that Byrne is of interest to Alex Neill -- because he'll cost nothing and hence is worth a gamble. The majority of the fans responding aren't keen, given the failure of Boyle, Horgan, O'Connor and Burke to make the grade.

[irishfan86]

I think that would be a great move. Neil is willing to take risks on talent from the LoI and while every player hasn’t been able to make the grade, it seems everyone has been given an opportunity to do so.

[Charlie Darwin]

Byrne would have the same problem as Burke there I think, namely that Neil doesn't play with a ten.

[nigel-harps1954]

That'd be a terrible move for Byrne.

[sbgawa]

Byrne would have the same problem as Burke there I think, namely that Neil doesn't play with a ten.


Exactly , i remember watching a Preston match where he had him playing as a wing back.
Terrible move for Jack.
Leaving the league champions and a settled home life wont be easy but it will be hard to turn down hard cash , its a short career.
Rovers have apparently made him a "great" offer to stay but "great" by LOI standards could be blown out of the water by a UK club that could easily offer a big signing on fee in lieu of a free transfer or simply a bigger wage as they are signing him for free.
I wont begrudge Jack for a second but i havent quite given up hope he will stay. 10% chance id say

[Trequartista20]

For that central attacking midfielder/10 role in their 4-2-3-1 system, PNE already have Johnson, who excelled last season, Potts, the current incumbent, Harrop, Gallagher, and captain, Browne, as well as still having Graham Burke on their books.

It would be a really unwise move for Byrne. I'd far rather see him go to the continent, or even MLS.

[Razors left peg]

If I was to pick one team in the Championship that I think would be a good move for him it would probably be Derby County. They play a 4-2-3-1 formation that would suit Byrne pretty well and from what Ive seen of them the creativity he could add would elevate them. They are a good team missing a bit of spark.

[Charlie Darwin]

For that central attacking midfielder/10 role in their 4-2-3-1 system, PNE already have Johnson, who excelled last season, Potts, the current incumbent, Harrop, Gallagher, and captain, Browne, as well as still having Graham Burke on their books.

It would be a really unwise move for Byrne. I'd far rather see him go to the continent, or even MLS.
That's my point. Apart from Burke they're all more like Gerrard-style 8s than the style Jack plays. Maybe he'd find a niche as a different option but I doubt he'd want to sit on the bench of a team to play 20 minutes a week and I assume he'll have weighted this in any decision he makes.

[Eirambler]

Sounds like the decision is made and he's leaving but the destination has yet to be officially announced, going by Daniel McDonnell's Twitter. Anyone know where he's off to?

[seanfhear]

Sounds like the decision is made and he's leaving but the destination has yet to be officially announced, going by Daniel McDonnell's Twitter. Anyone know where he's off to?
The Scarlet Pimpernel of football.

[Trequartista20]

Sounds like the decision is made and he's leaving but the destination has yet to be officially announced, going by Daniel McDonnell's Twitter. Anyone know where he's off to?

Any news?

[Olé Olé]

https://amp.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/you-want-to-test-yourself-against-the-best-whether-thats-in-england-another-league-in-europe-maybe-the-mls-in-america-39898922.html

This was published yesterday it seems. Nothing clear in there regarding his next move but you'd have to imagine that he has options in some of the countries he referenced i.e. America, England, Belgium. It does seem that he is very focused on finding a club where his "ability fits" which is obviously a reference to the harsh lessons he has learned in terms of all of his moves between leaving City and joining Rovers.

[seanfhear]

Santa Claus is late !

[nigel-harps1954]

Dan McDonnell reports that Jack Byrne is off to Cyprus. Heading out for a medical ahead of his move.

[Colbert Report]

Good move for him if true, he might make some appearances in the Champions League and get noticed by a big club.

[tetsujin1979]

Signed a two and a half year deal with APOEL: http://www.apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=23327&tt=graphic&lang=l1