Jack Byrne (M Shamrock Rovers b.1996)

[tetsujin1979]

I think another Byrne also played for them, Cliff Byrne, one I had hopes of making the break through. he's coaching at Sunderland now I think

[tetsujin1979]

Byrne was interviewed in the Oldham Chronicle on Thursday. but the company went into administration today, so the article is no longer online!
Fortunately, the google cache of the interview is still available

Byrne ready for new startReporter: Matthew Chambers
Date online: 31 August 2017

JACK Byrne was acclaimed as a potential star when lighting up the top flight in Holland and now, the confident young midfielder from Dublin is fighting for a route back towards international recognition.

Athletic's new recruit (21) shone in patches during the low-key Checkatrade Trophy draw with Port Vale with his sharp passing and keen movement.

It was those qualities - and an eye for a goal - that saw him impress enough in the Eredivisie with small-town club SC Cambuur two seasons ago to be called up to the full Republic of Ireland squad while still a teenager.

GOALS

His performances then, over 27 league appearances which produced four goals, led to a Cambuur supporters' group spokesperson comparing him favourably to Dutch midfield legend Wesley Sneijder.

"You have to live up to that potential, but the loan move to Blackburn didn't go as planned and it set me back a couple of months," reflected Byrne, of a loan switch last season from Manchester City that brought with it only seven appearances for the Ewood Park club in league and cup.

"Warren Joyce was then sacked at Wigan a few weeks after I had signed for them on a three-and-a-half year contract. These things happen in football and you have to go again and dust yourself off.

"You start again every season. Every season is different and anything can happen. I am at Oldham now. Holland was a great experience and I would love to go back there and play again. But I can't thank the gaffer here enough for this opportunity."

COACHED

Byrne was coached in the Blues' academy from the age of 14, after moving over here from his native Ireland, and progressed under the tutelage of Patrick Vieira within the Elite Development Squad.

In breaking ties with City, though, that move to Wigan prior to manager Joyce departing has seen him frozen out under the new charge of Paul Cook and needing to find a path to regularly featuring in the EFL.

On loan to Athletic up until January 1, Byrne now has the chance to show what he can really do in front of a domestic audience.

"My club football got me into the Ireland squad in the first place - scoring against PSV, being man of the match against Feyenoord and being in the team of the week after Ajax - but it has slowed down since then," he said.

"The two or three games a week last year was difficult for me and I couldn't adapt.

"That's what I am looking forward to this time around and putting that to bed."

As for the qualities in Athletic's squad from what he has seen so far, he does not believe the quality gap between top and bottom in Sky Bet League One is too large.

"I have been at Wigan and most of Blackburn's team is still there from last year. So I know what the quality is like at the other end - and we are not far off," Byrne said.

"You don't get that many scoring opportunities at this level, as teams want the ball away from their goal as possible at times. That's English football.



"If we can take our chances, it won't be a problem for us."

[Olé Olé]

Byrne was interviewed in the Oldham Chronicle on Thursday. but the company went into administration today, so the article is no longer online!
Fortunately, the google cache of the interview is still available

The accuracy at which he listed off his achievements at Cambuur is very odd. He has a lot of work to do.

[backstothewall]

gary kelly (the goalkeeping brother) spent the bulk of his career at boundary park

Did he wear the black tunic thing when he was playing or did the church give him a special dispensation?

JP2 would have been fairly sympathetic to a goalie tbf.

[zero]

byrne starts for oldham today. currently 2-3 down at home to charlton.

[tetsujin1979]

Scored late on, Eoin Doyle with the assist. Currently 4-3 to Charlton

[IsMiseSean]

Scored late on, Eoin Doyle with the assist. Currently 4-3 to Charlton

Good start for the lad (minus the defeat).

[mark12345]

Good start for the lad (minus the defeat).

Jack Byrne - you need to keep up the good work for Oldham. Two / three good performances in a row from you (even though the results haven't been the best).
Keep it up because my God we need you in the Irish midfield after the evidence of today's game against Georgia.

[Park_Lane]

Jack Byrne - you need to keep up the good work for Oldham. Two / three good performances in a row from you (even though the results haven't been the best).
Keep it up because my God we need you in the Irish midfield after the evidence of today's game against Georgia.

Yeah but the problem is our play bypasses midfield, keeper launches to the big man up front. Battering ram football.

[mark12345]

Yeah but the problem is our play bypasses midfield, keeper launches to the big man up front. Battering ram football.

Agreed. But from what I saw of Byrne in Holland (why the hell didn't he go back there instead of Oldham?) he came looking for the ball and demanded the best from team mates, like Roy Keane used to do.

[tetsujin1979]

nice finish from Byrne, goal on 1:50
j9zqJQt5i1E

[Olé Olé]

Thing about Byrne is, if this was any other Irish player playing a decent game or two at L1 level we wouldn't say a thing. The fact that everyone is so aware of his ability and the circumstances of the past 12 months means that it's perfectly acceptable to be very appreciative of a glimpse of form. And Sheridan will gain even more respect for this.

[OMTY]

Goal and assist tonight to put Oldham 2 up away to Bristol Rovers. Taken off on 79 to a standing ovation. Two of Bristol's Irish Ryan Sweeney and Rory Gaffney then bring it back to 2-2 before Eoin Doyle got the winner for Oldham in 88th min.

[liamoo11]

What a strike it was

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Still an exciting prospect for us.

Didn't get a chance at Blackburn or Wigan at all so can't judge him on that.

[DeLorean]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHB8pd_eZN8

[Park_Lane]

yep hopefully makes a name for himself at oldham(in a good way). I think its getting harder and harder for young Irish players to impress UK managers. Its really luck in some cases as managers change so often

[Olé Olé]

Looking at the goal and the assist, the technique he demonstrates is superb. Definitely a cut above the technique at that level. Surely the technique of a PL player and this move is looking inspired so far to help him get up there.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Oldham is Byrning.

[Razors left peg]

Im convinced that Byrnes biggest problem will always be that managers in England will always look at him as being too small, especially in the lower divisions.

I would love to see him go play in a good European league

[samhaydenjr]

If he keeps up this form, the big question becomes: what happens in the New Year when his loan period runs out? Will he have to return to a club where there seems to be friction between him and the manager? That could lead to his career stalling again just after getting going unless he can mend fences with Cook. Hopefully he can get an extension at Oldham as he seems to have settled right in there and can get his career going again with a strong full season

[Park_Lane]

If he keeps up this form, the big question becomes: what happens in the New Year when his loan period runs out? Will he have to return to a club where there seems to be friction between him and the manager? That could lead to his career stalling again just after getting going unless he can mend fences with Cook. Hopefully he can get an extension at Oldham as he seems to have settled right in there and can get his career going again with a strong full season

Is it not a season long loan?

[DeLorean]

Is it not a season long loan?

No, a four moth contract.

[Stuttgart88]

No, a four moth contract.

Payment in kind?

[Siberian]

If he keeps up this form, the big question becomes: what happens in the New Year when his loan period runs out? Will he have to return to a club where there seems to be friction between him and the manager? That could lead to his career stalling again just after getting going unless he can mend fences with Cook. Hopefully he can get an extension at Oldham as he seems to have settled right in there and can get his career going again with a strong full season

To be honest I don't think it was a case of friction between him and Cook. The manager himself said it was nothing personal. He asked three players (Bogle, Power and Byrne) is train with the Academy as he didn't see that they had an immediate place in a squad he was trying to rebuild. Bogle since left for Cardiff while Power, when no-one came in for him, has worked his way back onto the subs bench. I can't see Byrne working his way back into his plans as Wigan have made a decent start to the season. Not sure what will happen in January, Wigan will probably be happy to extend his loan but if he continues to do well he may earn a permanent move elsewhere I'd imagine.

[Olé Olé]

You'd worry that if a bit of interest forms that Wigan will hold Jack to ransom and look for a fee even though he's not in their plans. Hopefully not.

[samhaydenjr]

Got the only goal against Crewe tonight - another sweet strike from outside the box - just after the 4-minute mark here: https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/october/crewe-alexandra-vs-oldham-athletic-on-03-oct-17/

[johnnyc]

Great finish. Delighted he seems to me settling in so well.

[Dunners]

http://www.owtb.co.uk/topic/50131-blackburn/?do=findComment&comment=932284

Got Motm against his old club ******* Rovers , getting great reviews at Oldham

[Charlie Darwin]

****** Rovers

[Stuttgart88]

Any idea why he wasn't in the recent U21 squads?

[Siberian]

This Oldham fan (GAZ, 2nd post on page 4) thinks he did well on Saturday anyway!! :D

http://www.owtb.co.uk/topic/50131-blackburn/#?page=4&_suid=150823165325804003375224189739

[Olé Olé]

http://www.owtb.co.uk/topic/50131-blackburn/?do=findComment&comment=932284

Got Motm against his old club ******* Rovers , getting great reviews at Oldham

There are some people in this thread stating he's the best player they've seen player for Oldham: http://www.owtb.co.uk/topic/50007-jack-byrne-signs/?page=2

There's a takeover looming there which might see Oldham make an investment on Jack. Even the new owners would realise they could probably turn a tidy profit on Jack by the end of the season. The concept of him staying in League One past this season is foolish but he might be as happy to get a full season under his belt there. After being burnt so badly in his last moves, he'll surely have to be apprehensive about his next one.

[mark12345]

There are some people in this thread stating he's the best player they've seen player for Oldham: http://www.owtb.co.uk/topic/50007-jack-byrne-signs/?page=2

There's a takeover looming there which might see Oldham make an investment on Jack. Even the new owners would realise they could probably turn a tidy profit on Jack by the end of the season. The concept of him staying in League One past this season is foolish but he might be as happy to get a full season under his belt there. After being burnt so badly in his last moves, he'll surely have to be apprehensive about his next one.

Oldham was a necessary move at the time, and great that it has built up his confidence again. And great that he's renewing the reputation he had not so long ago. But probably won't be there beyond January. Would love to see him move back to Holland, something which he said he would have liked himself, but for some reason did not materialize (probably because he was ill advised moving to Blackburn). As was said before on here, he has to get the move that's right for him. His style of game is not really suited to the lower leagues of English football. Therefore I believe, assuming that the majority of PL clubs wouldn't be over interested in him, only a few top tier Championship sides or Holland / Europe are the best options.

[Olé Olé]

If they stump up the cash then he might stay there beyond January. Not exactly ideal move mid-season if he's enjoying his football. He'd want to tread very lightly in moving to a Championship side after his last two moves in that division. And who in Holland/Europe is keeping an eye on him? Hopefully someone is.

It will be interesting either way.

[backstothewall]

He'd be mad to go back to the championship.

A move back to the continent would seem his best bet.

[Park_Lane]

Jack Byrne on fire tonight for oldham v Newcastle academy with 2 goals

https://twitter.com/everythingoafc/status/928003740354871299

[DeLorean]

Eoin Doyle with a brace also.

[Charlie Darwin]

Jack Byrne on fire tonight for oldham v Newcastle academy with 2 goals

https://twitter.com/everythingoafc/status/928003740354871299
Owen Coyle rolling back the years with the second as well.

[samhaydenjr]

Eoin Doyle with a brace also.

On fire in League One again - 11 goals in 14 appearances for Oldham so far - hopefully he can make a proper go of it when he goes back to Preston in January (if his loan doesn't get extended). His nemesis, Beckford, is gone anyway

[Stuttgart88]

And not in U21 squad again. Is he overage or overlooked?

[Kingdom]

And not in U21 squad again. Is he overage or overlooked?

I wonder is there a worry about adding his personality into a group that seems tight, and a group to be fair that are doing very well, all things considered?

[tetsujin1979]

Doing a Q&A on twitter today: https://twitter.com/OfficialOAFC/status/928623653352337408

[gastric]

Watched some Sheff Wed's games of late and have been really impressed by Barry Bannan as a playmaker. Great to watch and is at the heart of Wednesday's game, though not the greatest defensively. Why he isn't regularly picked for Scotland is beyond me. I always think of Byrne when I watch Bannan as he is particularly small, but gifted. Would love to see Byrne develop like Bannan. Similar careers in some ways as Bannan spent a lot of his career out on loan, probably due to his height. A player like Bannan would certainly be the missing link we so urgently need in midfield.

[tetsujin1979]

nominated for player of the round in the Checkatrade Trophy: https://www.efl.com/clubs-and-competitions/checkatrade-trophy/player-of-the-round/

[Olé Olé]

There's 33 minutes gone and Oldham are 2-0 up at home to Northampton. Jack scored the first and assisted the second.

[tetsujin1979]

Also scored the third. Goals here: https://streamable.com/a37aw

[DeLorean]

That first one is pure quality.

[Razors left peg]

Byrne will end up in the Premiership without a doubt, just needs to have the right manager who isn't afraid of having a smaller guy in midfield. Hes very good.

[tetsujin1979]

In the EFL Team of the Week: https://www.efl.com/news/2017/december/team-of-the-week-8th-9th-december-2017/

Midfielder: Jack Byrne (Oldham Athletic)
Byrne kicked things off as Oldham cruised to a 5-1 win against Northampton Town, curling home a fine effort into the top corner with just four minutes gone.
The 21-year-old created the second and doubled his personal tally in the first half, while continuing to pull the strings as the Latics added the gloss after the break.