Byrne in Pars trial

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Byrne in Pars trial

Shamrock Rovers’ under-21 international defender Richie Byrne is undergoing a trial with Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline Athletic, according to a morning report.

Byrne, who slotted into the Rovers side at left back last season, has been switched inside to centre half by manager Liam Buckley this time around, with excellent results.

He formed a solid buffer with Rovers skipper Terry Palmer in the centre of the Hoops’ defence, but an ankle injury has seen him miss two of his side’s outings in recent weeks.

Now, though, he may be on his way out of the club for good, if he can impress Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood, who snapped up Irish under-21 striker Noel Hunt from Rovers in January, as well as midfielder Gary Dempsey – also an under-21 squad member – from Waterford United last summer.

Hoops manager Buckley told the Irish Daily Star: “[Richie] went over and if he is given the opportunity of furthering his career, we won’t stand in his way. There have been no offers yet and there may or may not be anything in the next few days. But Richie is a great young player and an excellent professional.”

Byrne, 22, won the Rovers Young Player of the Year award in season 2001/02.


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Pars set to complete Byrne swoop

Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline Athletic look set to complete their THIRD eircom League raid in a little over a year with the signing of Shamrock Rovers defender Richie Byrne this week.

Pars manager Jimmy Calderwood has already swooped for midfielder Gary Dempsey from Waterford United last summer before snapping up Byrne’s former Rovers team-mate Noel Hunt in January.

In addition, all three are current Irish under-21 internationals, although none played in Don Givens’s side’s 5-1 defeat of Poland last week.

Byrne – who can play at either centre half or left full back – has reportedly impressed during a week-long trial at East End Park, and is likely to complete his move this week.

Calderwood said: “I’ve already spoken to [Shamrock Rovers manager] Liam Buckley and I’ll speak with him again about doing a deal. Richie has done well and he’s looked the part in training.”

With Buckley already having said he would not stand in Byrne’s way, it looks increasingly that Byrne will make the switch to the SPL sooner rather than later.


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