Shaun Byrne (footballer, born 1993) explained

Shaun Byrne
Birth Date:9 June 1993
Birth Place:Kirkcaldy, Scotland
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Raith Rovers
Clubnumber:21
Youthyears1:2004–2008
Youthclubs1:Celtic
Youthyears2:2008–2012
Youthclubs2:Dunfermline Athletic
Years1:2012–2016
Clubs1:Dunfermline Athletic
Caps1:89
Goals1:8
Years2:2016–2019
Clubs2:Livingston
Caps2:95
Goals2:5
Years3:2019–2024
Clubs3:Dundee
Caps3:79
Goals3:0
Years4:2023–2024
Clubs4:Raith Rovers (loan)
Caps4:31
Goals4:0
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Raith Rovers
Caps5:2
Goals5:0
Club-Update:17:00, 10 August 2024 (UTC)

Shaun Byrne (born 9 June 1993) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Raith Rovers.

Byrne started his career as a youth player for Celtic, before moving to Dunfermline Athletic where he made over 100 competitive appearances. He then played for Livingston for three seasons, helping the team earn back-to-back promotions. Byrne then joined Dundee in 2019, and would be part of two more promotions with the Dark Blues. While contracted to Dundee, Byrne spent his last season on loan at Raith Rovers, and joined his hometown club permanently for the following two seasons.

Career

Dunfermline Athletic

Byrne joined Dunfermline Athletic in 2008, after playing at youth level with Celtic. After playing youth team football for his first few season with the club, Byrne made his first team debut in 2012 in the Scottish League Cup, coming on as a substitute for Ryan Wallace in the 3–0 defeat of Montrose.[1] His first league appearance came again as a substitute, this time against Dumbarton in a 2–0 victory at The Bet Butler Stadium,[2] whilst his first start for The Pars came in a New Years Fife derby against Raith Rovers.[1]

Byrne scored his first goal for the club in a 2–3 defeat against Arbroath during the 2013–14 season.[3] After winning the Scottish League One title and with his contract ending, Byrne was released by the Pars at the end of the 2015–16 season.[4]

Livingston

Shortly after his release by Dunfermline, Byrne signed for recently relegated Scottish League One side Livingston.[5] Byrne was a regular for the club as they gained consecutive promotions in the following two years. After going on to win what would be his second consecutive League One title with ease,[6] the Lions would earn promotion to the Scottish Premiership the following year, defeating Partick Thistle in the Premiership play-offs in 2017–18, having finishing second in the Championship.[7] He turned down a move away from the club in summer 2018.[8]

Dundee

In June 2019, Byrne signed for Dundee on a three-year deal with an option of another year for an undisclosed fee.[9] In May 2021 Byrne won the Premiership play-offs with Dundee, earning promotion to the Premiership.[10] On 16 October, Byrne suffered ligament damage in his knee during a 2–1 win at home to Aberdeen.[11] [12] Although having been able to avoid surgery, his timescale for recovery was set between six and twelve weeks.[13] [14] In January 2022, after returning to the training pitch, Byrne signed a contract extension that would keep him at Dundee until 2024.[15] That same month, Byrne would make his return to the pitch in a Scottish Cup victory over Dumbarton.[16]

Despite being allowed to leave the team by new manager Gary Bowyer, Byrne would fight to earn his place back, and received a large ovation from a supportive Dundee fanbase as he came on as a substitute in a league win over Raith Rovers in November 2022.[17] [18] The following week, Byrne would notch his 100th competitive appearance for Dundee in another home win against Hamilton Academical.[19] Byrne would make several late sub appearances near the end of the season for Dundee, last of which being in the Scottish Championship title-clinching win away to Queen's Park.[20]

Raith Rovers (loan)

On 9 August 2023, Byrne joined Scottish Championship club Raith Rovers, on a season-long loan from Dundee.[21] Byrne once again would reach the Premiership play-off final before Raith were defeated by Ross County.[22] At the end of the season, Dundee announced that Byrne would depart upon the expiry of his contract.[23]

Raith Rovers

Following his release from Dens Park in May 2024, despite several Championship rivals attempting to sign him, Byrne would rejoin Raith permanently on a two-year deal in June 2024.[24] [25]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueScottish CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dunfermline Athletic2012–13Scottish First Division14020103[26] 0200
2013–14Scottish League One31440205[27] 0424
2014–1522231001[28] 0263
2015–16222002230274
Total898915212011511
Livingston2016–17Scottish League One302203040392
2017–18Scottish Championship33120606[29] 0471
2018–19Scottish Premiership322105000382
Total95550140901235
Dundee2019–20Scottish Championship220105010290
2020–21[30] 220204040320
2021–22[31] Scottish Premiership240304000310
2022–23Scottish Championship110104000160
2023–24Scottish Premiership0000000000
Total79070170501080
Raith Rovers (loan)2023–24Scottish Championship310101080410
Raith Rovers2024–25Scottish Championship2000400060
Total330105080470
Career total2961322141234039316

Honours

Club

Dunfermline Athletic

2015–16[32]

Livingston

2016–17[33]

Dundee

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dunfermline 3 Montrose 0 . DAFC . 20 May 2015.
  2. Web site: Dunfermline 1 Raith Rovers 0 . DAFC . 20 May 2015.
  3. Web site: Dunfermline 2 Arbroath 3 . DAFC . 20 May 2015.
  4. Web site: Dunfermline sign Nat Wedderburn from Inverness Caledonian Thistle . BBC Sport . BBC . 16 May 2016 . 16 May 2016.
  5. Web site: Shaun Byrne makes Par . livingstonfc.co.uk . 20 May 2016 . 20 May 2016.
  6. Web site: Livingston seal League 1 Title. 8 April 2017. SPFL.co.uk. 10 October 2019.
  7. Web site: Partick Thistle 0-1 Livingston (1-3 agg). McLauchlin. Brian. 20 May 2018. 10 October 2019.
  8. Web site: Livingston star Sean Byrne reveals touching reason why he snubbed summer move. Gordon. Waddell. 11 November 2018. Daily Record.
  9. Web site: Shaun signs. 18 June 2019. Dundee F.C.. 18 June 2019.
  10. Web site: 24 May 2021. Dundee promoted as Kilmarnock drop down for first time in 28 years. 24 May 2021. BBC.
  11. Web site: Dundee still awaiting news on the injury suffered by midfielder Shaun Byrne. 29 October 2021. BT.com. en.
  12. Web site: Cran. George. Dundee star Shaun Byrne's injury 'could have been a lot worse' but surgery still an option for midfield lynchpin. 29 October 2021. The Courier. en-GB.
  13. Web site: Cran. George. Shaun Byrne: No surgery needed for Dundee star but midfielder could be out until 2022. 29 October 2021. The Courier. en-GB.
  14. Web site: Shaun Byrne blow for Dundee. PA Staff. 26 October 2021. fourfourtwo.com.
  15. Web site: 10 January 2022. Shaun signs new deal. 10 January 2022. Dundee Football Club - Official Website. en-US.
  16. News: Griffiths' penalty as Dundee progress. en-GB. BBC Sport. 22 January 2022.
  17. Web site: Cran . George . 4 talking points from Dundee's Raith Rovers success as Zach Robinson shines and Shaun Byrne returns . 19 November 2022 . The Courier . en-GB.
  18. Web site: Cran . George . Dundee star Shaun Byrne opens up on being told he could leave Dens Park, 'unreal' reception from fans and his relationship with boss Gary Bowyer . 19 November 2022 . The Courier . en-GB.
  19. News: McMullan goal gives Dundee win over Hamilton . en-GB . BBC Sport . 19 November 2022.
  20. News: Dundee back in Premiership after eight-goal epic . en-GB . BBC Sport . 5 May 2023.
  21. Web site: Shaun Byrne joins on loan Raith Rovers FC . 9 August 2023 . www.raithrovers.net.
  22. Web site: Ross County vs Raith Rovers: Scottish Premiership play-off final . 27 May 2024 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  23. Web site: 20 May 2024 . Squad Update 2024 . 27 May 2024 . dundeefc.co.uk.
  24. Web site: 30 May 2024 . Raith Rovers close to 'clarity' on out-of-contract players as further new signings expected. thecourier.co.uk.
  25. Web site: Club . Raith Rovers Football . Fowlie . Grace . 2024-06-12 . SHAUN BYRNE SIGNS ON . 2024-06-12 . Raith Rovers Football Club . en-GB.
  26. Appearances in the First Division play-offs
  27. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and three in the Championship play-offs
  28. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  29. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup; Four appearances in the Premiership play-offs
  30. Web site: Games Played by Shaun Byrne in 2020/2021. 24 July 2020. Soccerbase.
  31. Web site: Games Played by Shaun Byrne in 2021/2022. 2 June 2021. Soccerbase.
  32. Web site: Dunfermline 3 – 1 Brechin City . Brian . McLaughlin . BBC Sport . BBC . 26 March 2016 . 28 December 2016.
  33. Web site: Livingston 2–1 Alloa Athletic . Livingston F.C. . 8 April 2017 . 8 April 2017.