Jack Byrne (M Shamrock Rovers b.1996)

**Olé Olé** · 23/03/2016, 1:00 PM

Originally Posted by Wangball

Not sure if anyone else thinks this but what I think we're seeing with Byrne is maybe the 1st example we're seeing of the "Conor McGregor Factor" influencing other sportsmen. McGregor is the most popular/well known Irish sportsmen of right now and youngsters are beginning to not only dress and "groom" like him (Byrne has a very McGregor-esque look) but are beginning to cast off the more familiar humble approach Irish athletes have tended to take in the past (Keane & a few others are exceptions to this) and talk themselves up. Can only hope that Byrne has the same impact on Soccer as McGregor had on his sport so more power to him.

McGregor popped into my head a few times when I made my point above. I do think he's paved the way for talented young sportspeople to actually talk themselves up. Maybe I wouldn't have been as agreeable towards Byrne's interview in the pre-McGregor era. And I'll admit that because I do like McGregor. I can also understand why he isn't everybody's cup of tea.

**Kingdom** · 23/03/2016, 1:10 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Saying he can influence a game at any level, that he knows he's as good as the players in the senior squad, that he's like Roy Keane except he plays the final pass instead of the first pass.... look, it's harmless enough but I completely agree with Hoops take on it.

of course, and we're not arguing (babe), but I think the type of midfielder that Roy Keane was (version 1) is more on the verge of extinction, rather than the midfielder Keane became (defensive midfielder as Stutts would say) which is all the rage.

**DeLorean** · 23/03/2016, 1:40 PM

Originally Posted by Wangball

Not sure if anyone else thinks this but what I think we're seeing with Byrne is maybe the 1st example we're seeing of the "Conor McGregor Factor" influencing other sportsmen. McGregor is the most popular/well known Irish sportsmen of right now and youngsters are beginning to not only dress and "groom" like him (Byrne has a very McGregor-esque look) but are beginning to cast off the more familiar humble approach Irish athletes have tended to take in the past (Keane & a few others are exceptions to this) and talk themselves up. Can only hope that Byrne has the same impact on Soccer as McGregor had on his sport so more power to him.

The McGregor stuff should be chalk and cheese really as fighters/boxers have talked themselves up since the beginning of time, even the Irish ones. It's not the norm for young footballers I don't think (to that extent) but that's not to say McGregor's not becoming an influence, he may well be.

Roy Keane has always been very humble when it came to self assessment, if fact, I don't think he gives himself enough credit at all for the technical side of the game he possessed. He obviously had that winning mentality though believed being Irish wasn't a handicap.

**Wangball** · 23/03/2016, 1:51 PM

Originally Posted by Olé Olé

McGregor popped into my head a few times when I made my point above. I do think he's paved the way for talented young sportspeople to actually talk themselves up. Maybe I wouldn't have been as agreeable towards Byrne's interview in the pre-McGregor era. And I'll admit that because I do like McGregor. I can also understand why he isn't everybody's cup of tea.

I think its great. I really do. As much as I love a guy like Seamus Coleman - a consummate pro, does his job at the highest level week in / week out and is humble and quietly spoken to go with it - I think its refreshing to see a young Irish guy step up to the plate and announce himself like this. More guys should do this!

**BonnieShels** · 23/03/2016, 4:45 PM

He was interviewed on OTB last November and he came across as intelligent and confident, not cocky at all. There is a difference between cocky and confident.
Cocky is some two-bit brash lad who thinks he's all that but can't back it up. The likes of McGregor and Byrne are backing it up.

There's no harm in talking ourselves up because if we don't, who will?

https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Of...ing_for_France
Interview starts with about 15min to go. Martin O'Neill is interviewed for the first 40 as it happens. It was a good interview too.

We're not here just to take part, we're here just to take over!

**tetsujin1979** · 09/04/2016, 5:52 PM

Playing against Ajax on the red button on Sky Sports at the moment

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 10/04/2016, 12:16 PM

Playing in an awful Cambuur side v Ajax. Best player on the pitch imo. Commentators said he's miles ahead of the others on the Cambuur team & outshone Bazoer, the Ajax kid we've been linked with.

Some of his first time passing was DeBruyne-like. He really is coming on excellently. Looks stronger physically & very sharp mentally. On that showing he is sharper right now, than Silva in his current form, seeing passes much faster. Whether he has it in him to be at the same level as Silva at his best, we have to wait & see, but he already takes a better corner & free kick.

If he keeps up that level, he must surely be good enough to at very least be a squad player. The side he's playing in is truly awful & he's still able to cause problems.

All he has to do, is keep it going & Pep will like what he sees.

http://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/th...305397/page-19

When pigs fly.

**tetsujin1979** · 14/04/2016, 2:39 PM

highlights of his performance against Ajax last weekend

**kennedmc** · 14/04/2016, 6:01 PM

Ye gotta play Byrne Pep - he's the new Iniesta and Xavi rolled into one!!

**Fixer82** · 15/04/2016, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by Olé Olé

I'm not saying you are slating him I was just responding to assertions he's coming across as a bit immature and making silly comments. He could be doing worse is all I'm saying, especially at 19.

Forgot about all about Connolly! He did make quite an impression at Excelsior, if I remember correctly, but they were in the division below the top one.

Don't forget Connolly scored 2 goals V Ajax in the big Dutch derby before being banished to Excelsior where he scored probably more goals than games played

**SkStu** · 15/04/2016, 1:03 AM

Lovely range of passing
Nice touch
Confident
Great short burst acceleration
Socks down

Let's see what he can do in the May friendlies and blood him for WC qualifying.

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 15/04/2016, 1:05 AM

August friendly 90 minutes.

**DeLorean** · 15/04/2016, 7:27 AM

Originally Posted by SkStu

Lovely range of passing
Nice touch
Confident
Great short burst acceleration
Socks down

A player who seems to love the football is a rare enough thing these days. Seems a serious prospect, nice to have one where we're not worried about England calling them up.

**tetsujin1979** · 15/04/2016, 7:58 AM

Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

August friendly 90 minutes.

no August friendlies any more

**DeLorean** · 15/04/2016, 8:43 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

no August friendlies any more

The FAI season ticket offer suggests otherwise.

The FAI Season Ticket includes the following games

Friendly game - August 2016
Georgia - 6th October 2016
Wales - 24th March 2017
Friendly game - May/June 2017
Austria - 11th June 2017

**tetsujin1979** · 15/04/2016, 9:47 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

The FAI season ticket offer suggests otherwise.

either you misquoted the link, or the page has been updated, it says this now

ROI V Friendly TBC Autumn 2016

**DeLorean** · 15/04/2016, 9:59 AM

Yeah it was easier to c&p from elsewhere.... but it did say August on the link also. So, by Autumn, that's probably October?

**tetsujin1979** · 15/04/2016, 10:06 AM

According to the group wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_F...roup_D#Matches - There's two games in October, home against Georgia and away to Moldova, so there could be a friendly September after the Serbia game