{{Short description|Irish footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Mark Byrne | image = Mark Byrne 16-02-13.png | image_size = 200 | caption = Byrne playing for Barnet in 2013. | fullname = Mark Byrne<ref name="List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/07/2011 and 31/07/2011">{{Cite web | title = List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/07/2011 and 31/07/2011 | url = http://www.thefa.com/~/media/90FF57E9023C44AB809C85DD2A1596B5.ashx | publisher = The Football Association | format = PDF | page = 6 | access-date = 24 November 2013}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|11|9|df=y}} | birth_place = Kilnamanagh, Dublin, Ireland | height = {{convert|1.75|m|order=flip}}<ref name="GFC">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/midfielder/mark-byrne/ |title=Mark Byrne - Midfielder - First Team - Gillingham |website=www.gillinghamfootballclub.com |publisher=Gillingham F.C. |access-date=22 March 2020 |archive-date=22 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322084828/https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/midfielder/mark-byrne/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | position = Midfielder | currentclub = Crumlin United | clubnumber = | youthclubs1 = Crumlin United | youthyears1 = | years1 = 2007–2011 | years2 = 2009 | years3 = 2009–2010 | years4 = 2010–2011 | years6 = 2011–2014 | years7 = 2014–2016 | years8 = 2016–2020 | years9 = 2020 | years10 = 2021–2022 | years11 = 2022– | clubs1 = Nottingham Forest | clubs2 = → Burton Albion (loan) | clubs3 = → Rushden & Diamonds (loan) | clubs4 = → Barnet (loan) | clubs6 = Barnet | clubs7 = Newport County | clubs8 = Gillingham | clubs9 = Shelbourne | clubs10 = Bray Wanderers | clubs11 = Crumlin United | caps1 = 2 | goals1 = 0 | caps2 = 7 | goals2 = 0 | caps3 = 42 | goals3 = 6 | caps4 = 28 | goals4 = 6 | caps6 = 119 | goals6 = 13 | caps7 = 88 | goals7 = 6 | caps8 = 136 | goals8 = 8 | caps9 = 10 | goals9 = 0 | caps10 = 28 | goals10 = 0 | caps11 = 0 | goals11 = 0 | club-update = 06:09, 21 February 2022 (UTC) }} '''Mark Byrne''' (born 9 November 1988) is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Crumlin United.
==Club career==
===Nottingham Forest=== Byrne signed for Nottingham Forest in July 2007 from Dublin schoolboy side, Crumlin United after unsuccessful trials at Leicester City and Stoke City.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://world.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10308~1274339,00.html |title=Impressive Progress For Byrne |date=26 March 2008 |work=nottinghamforest.premiumtv.co.uk |access-date=30 April 2012 |publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C. }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> He was named as a substitute in Forest's 1–1 draw at home to Walsall in March 2008. He then made his professional debut for Forest as a 70th-minute substitute on 5 April 2008 in a 3–1 victory against Cheltenham Town.
With the Reds gaining promotion, manager Colin Calderwood commented that he would be given the chance to impress next season after Forest's promotion to the Championship in the upcoming 2008–09 season.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://world.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10308~1323900,00.html |title=CC's Pledge To Youngsters |date=5 June 2008 |work=nottinghamforest.premiumtv.co.uk |access-date=30 April 2012 |publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C. |archive-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405090155/http://world.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10308~1323900,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Burton Albion (loan)=== On 13 March 2009, Byrne was sent on loan to Conference National side Burton Albion for the remainder of the season,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Forest midfielder Mark Byrne joins Burton|url=http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Forest-midfielder-joins-Burton/story-12195077-detail/story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914111757/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Forest-midfielder-joins-Burton/story-12195077-detail/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 September 2012|publisher=Nottingham Post|date=13 March 2009|access-date=30 April 2012}}</ref> featuring in seven of the remaining eleven fixtures before being promoted, as champions, to the Football League.
===Rushden and Diamonds (loan)=== On 20 July 2009, Byrne joined Conference National side Rushden & Diamonds on an initial six-month loan,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thediamondsfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~1727855,00.html |title=Diamonds sign Mark Byrne |date=21 July 2009 |work=thediamondsfc.com |access-date=30 April 2012 |publisher=Rushden & Diamonds F.C. |archive-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405093427/http://www.thediamondsfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~1727855,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> but eventually signed on for the rest of the season.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thediamondsfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~1926033,00.html |title=Byrne & McGuinness Loan Deals Extended |date=13 January 2010 |work=thediamondsfc.com |access-date=30 April 2012 |publisher=Rushden & Diamonds F.C. |archive-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152746/http://www.thediamondsfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~1926033,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Irishman made 44 appearances with Rushden & Diamonds in 2009–10 scoring seven goals in the process, including the equaliser in Diamonds' Conference Premier Semi-Final First Leg vs Oxford United.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rdfc1992.com/2010/04/29/rushden-diamonds-1-oxford-united-1-2/|title=Rushden & Diamonds 1 Oxford United 1|date=29 April 2010|access-date=4 April 2018}}</ref> He received two awards at the end-of-season presentation night.<ref name="Rushden awards">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thediamondsfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~2047500,00.html |title=Players Presentation Photos |date=13 May 2010 |work=thediamondsfc.com |access-date=30 April 2012 |publisher=Rushden & Diamonds F.C. |archive-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152844/http://www.thediamondsfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~2047500,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He left Nene Park at the end of his loan spell at the season's end.
===Barnet=== At the start of the 2010–11 season, he joined Barnet until 1 January 2011 when his loan spell was cut short due to injury.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://world.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10308~2258914,00.html |title=Loan Rangers Return |date=5 January 2011 |work=nottinghamforest.co.uk |access-date=30 April 2012 |publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C. |archive-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405090355/http://world.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10308~2258914,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Byrne returned to Barnet on loan in March 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mark Byrne Re-Joins Bees |url=http://www.barnetfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10431~2306199,00.html |publisher=Barnet F.C. |date=2 March 2011 |access-date=30 April 2012 |work=barnetfc.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322052311/http://www.barnetfc.com/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10431~2306199%2C00.html |archive-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After his release from Nottingham Forest in June, Byrne signed a two-year deal with Barnet.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13815685|title=Barnet bring in midfielder Mark Byrne|access-date=30 April 2012|date=17 June 2011|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>
Byrne then consolidated his position within the Barnet first team, playing a central role in midfield, though at times, he was shifted on to the right wing. He scored in the first game of the season on 6 August, against Morecambe at the Globe Arena, scoring in the 76th minute in a 1–0 win for Barnet. He next scored on 19 November, with a 98th-minute goal against Bristol Rovers, sealing a 2–0 win at the Memorial Stadium. He scored again in the League on 21 January, with a 48th-minute equaliser against Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium. Next, he scored against Rotherham United on 3 March, with the opening goal in the 7th minute at Underhill. Barnet went on to draw the game 1–1. Finally, he scored a pivotal goal on the final day of the season away against Burton Albion, a game which Barnet needed to win to seal their spot in the Football League – he scored the opening goal in the 6th minute. Barnet would go on to win the game 2–1, thus maintaining their Football League status. He became a popular figure among Barnet fans for his hardworking attitude and tough tackling.
In the following season, Byrne's position was shifted more prominently on to the right wing, fitting in with new player-manager Edgar Davids' 4–5–1 formation with two wingers, and three central midfielders. Byrne was one of few players who stayed at Barnet following the previous season. He would go on to play a prominent role for Barnet, scoring 2 penalties in the League, with a total of 3 goals in the League – the joint 4th highest goal tally for Barnet. Due to a shortage of right backs following injuries to Barry Fuller, and a previous long-term injury to Danny Senda, Byrne also filled in at right back for Barnet, with moderate success. He made 40 appearances during the League.
At the end of the 2013–14 season, Byrne was released by Barnet.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.barnetfc.com/news/article/byrne-leaves-barnet-fc-1549640.aspx|title=Byrne Leaves Barnet FC|date=13 May 2014|work=barnetfc.com|publisher=Barnet F.C.|access-date=13 May 2014}}</ref> In total, he played 166 times for the Bees, scoring 19 goals.
===Newport County=== In July 2014 Justin Edinburgh signed Byrne for Newport County.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28295261|title=Newport County sign Barnet midfielder Mark Byrne on a free|date=14 July 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 April 2018}}</ref> Edinburgh had been Byrne's manager at Rushden and Diamonds. He made his debut for Newport against Wycombe Wanderers on 9 August 2014. Byrne scored his first goal for Newport in the 1–0 win over Southend United on 21 October 2014. Byrne was selected as Newport's player of the year for the 2015–16 season.<ref>[https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2016/may/end-of-season-awards-/ Byrne Newport player of the year]</ref> He was offered a new contract by Newport at the end of the 2015–16 season but the offer was withdrawn and he was released after he failed to accept the contract by the deadline of 10 June 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/14554129.Exiles_part_company_with_skipper_Byrne_and_three_others_as_contract_offers_withdrawn/|title=Exiles part company with skipper Byrne and three others as contract offers withdrawn|website=South Wales Argus|access-date=4 April 2018}}</ref>
===Gillingham=== On 15 June 2016 Edinburgh again signed Byrne, this time for Gillingham on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36539179|title=Mark Byrne: Gillingham sign midfielder after Newport County exit|date=15 June 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 April 2018}}</ref>
He scored his first goal for the club in the 2–1 win over Premier League side Watford in the second round of the 2016–17 EFL Cup.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37091184|title=Watford 1–2 Gillingham|work=BBC Sport|access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref>
He signed a new two-year contract with the club in June 2018,<ref>{{Cite news|date=25 June 2018|title=Mark Byrne signs new contract with League 1 Gillingham|work=Kent Online|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/star-man-seals-deal-185206/|access-date=17 June 2020}}</ref> having been named the Player of the Season at the conclusion of the 2017–18 campaign.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Mark Byrne voted Player of the Year|url=https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2018/may/player-of-the-year/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=www.gillinghamfootballclub.com|language=en-gb}}</ref>
Byrne was released by the club at the end of the injury-stricken 2019–20 season.<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 June 2020|title=Gillingham release Ouss Cisse, Mark Byrne and Ben Pringle while Lee Hodson and Barry Fuller are free to look elsewhere|work=Kent Online|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/gills-trio-to-leave-the-club-and-others-could-follow-228521/|access-date=17 June 2020}}</ref> In total, he made 157 appearances in all competitions for the Kent side, scoring 11 goals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mark Byrne {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Gillingham {{!}} Age 31 {{!}} Soccer Base|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=51252|access-date=2020-06-17|website=www.soccerbase.com}}</ref>
===Shelbourne=== Byrne signed for newly- promoted League of Ireland Premier Division side Shelbourne on 21 August 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mark Byrne signs for Shels|url=https://shelbournefc.ie/mark-byrne-signs-for-shels/|access-date=2020-08-28|website=www.shelbournefc.ie|date=21 August 2020|language=en-gb}}</ref> making his debut against Shamrock Rovers in a crucial league match.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shamrock Rovers 0 Shelbourne 0: Dublin derby stalemate dents Hoops' title hopes|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/shamrock-rovers-0-shelbourne-0-22560217|access-date=2020-08-28|website=www.irishmirror.ie|date=21 August 2020|language=en-gb}}</ref> Byrne made 13 appearances for the club in all competitions<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/mark-byrne/47509/|title=Republic of Ireland - M. Byrne - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com|accessdate=30 March 2021}}</ref> as they were relegated to the League of Ireland First Division.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzz.ie/sport/longford-town-shelbourne-playoff-400199|title=Longford Town promoted after beating Shelbourne in relegation playoff|first=David|last=Kent|website=Buzz.ie|accessdate=30 March 2021|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115162425/https://www.buzz.ie/sport/longford-town-shelbourne-playoff-400199|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Bray Wanderers=== On 22 February, Byrne signed for League of Ireland First Division side Bray Wanderers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://braywanderersfc.ie/new-additions-to-squad-2/|title=New additions to squad|date=22 February 2021|accessdate=30 March 2021}}</ref>
===Crumlin United=== On 9 February 2022, having spent thirteen years away from the club, Byrne once again signed for Crumlin United.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=crumlinunited |number=1491335589207375873 |title=We welcome Mark Byrne back to the club}}</ref>
==International career== In 2005 Byrne won a bronze medal playing for Republic of Ireland U18 in the European Youth Olympic Festival.
==Career statistics== {{Updated|match played on 19 November 2021}}<ref>{{Soccerbase |id=51252 |accessdate=17 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=3|Nottingham Forest |2007–08 |rowspan="2"|Championship |1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0 |- |2008–09 |1||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||2||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !2!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!3!!0 |- |Burton Albion (loan) |2008–09<ref name="MB08">{{soccerbase season|51252|2008|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref> |rowspan="2"|Conference Premier |7||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||7||0 |- |Rushden & Diamonds (loan) |2009–10<ref name="MB09">{{soccerbase season|51252|2009|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref> |42||6||2||1||colspan="2"|—||0||0||44||7 |- |Barnet (loan) |2010–11<ref name="MB10">{{soccerbase season|51252|2010|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref> |rowspan="3"|League Two |28||6||1||0||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name="FLT">Appearances in the Football League Trophy</ref>||0||31||4 |- |rowspan="4"|Barnet |2011–12<ref name="MB11">{{soccerbase season|51252|2011|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref> |43||5||2||0||2||0||6<ref group=lower-alpha name="FLT"/>||0||53||5 |- |2012–13<ref name="MB12">{{soccerbase season|51252|2012|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref> |40||3||1||0||0||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name="FLT"/>||0||42||3 |- |2013–14<ref name="MB13">{{soccerbase season|51252|2013|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref> |Conference Premier |36||5||2||0||colspan="2"|—||2<ref group=lower-alpha name="FAT">Appearances in the FA Trophy</ref>||0||40||5 |- !colspan="2"|Barnet total !119!!13!!5!!0!!2!!0!!9!!0!!135!!13 |- |rowspan="3"|Newport County |2014–15<ref name="MB14">{{soccerbase season|51252|2014|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref> |rowspan="2"|League Two |42||4||1||0||1||0||0||0||44||4 |- |2015–16<ref name="MB15">{{soccerbase season|51252|2015|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref> |46||2||4||1||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name="FLT"/>||0||52||3 |- !colspan="2"|Newport total !88!!6!!5!!1!!2!!0!!1!!0!!96!!7 |- | rowspan="5" |Gillingham |2016–17<ref name="MB16">{{soccerbase season|51252|2016|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref> | rowspan="4" |League One |31||1||0||0||2||1||2<ref group=lower-alpha name="EFT">Appearances in the EFL Trophy</ref>||0||35||2 |- |2017–18<ref name="MB17">{{soccerbase season|51252|2017|access-date=15 September 2017}}</ref> |42||3||3||0||0||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name="EFT"/>||1||47||4 |- |2018–19<ref>{{Cite web|title=Games played by Mark Byrne in 2018/2019|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=51252&season_id=151|access-date=17 June 2020|website=Soccerbase|publisher=Centurycomm}}</ref> |45 |4 |5 |0 |1 |0 |1<ref name="EFT" group="lower-alpha" /> |0 |52 |4 |- |2019–20<ref>{{Cite web|title=Games played by Mark Byrne in 2019/2020|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=51252&season_id=152|access-date=17 June 2020|website=Soccerbase|publisher=Centurycomm}}</ref> |18 |0 |3 |1 |1 |0 |1<ref name="EFT" group="lower-alpha" /> |0 |23 |1 |- !colspan="2"|Gillingham total !136!!8!!11!!1!!4!!1!!6!!1!!157!!11 |- |Shelbourne |2020<ref name="auto"/> |League of Ireland Premier Division |10||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||1<ref group=lower-alpha name="LOI">Appearances in the 2020 League of Ireland play-offs</ref>||0||13||0 |- |Bray Wanderers |2021<ref name="auto"/> |League of Ireland First Division |28||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearances in 2021 League of Ireland promotion/relegation playoffs}}||0||32||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !457!!39!!26!!3!!9!!1!!19!!1!!518!!42 |} {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
==Honours== *'''Republic of Ireland U18''': **European Youth Olympic Festival: Bronze Medal
===Individual=== *Rushden & Diamonds Players' Player of the Year (2009–10)<ref name="Rushden awards" /> *Rushden & Diamonds Internet Forum Player of the Year (2009–10)<ref name="Rushden awards" /> *Newport County Player of the Season, Player's Player of the Year, Goal of the Season (v Blackburn Rovers (FA Cup 3rd Round)), Supporters Club Away Player of the Year, Supporters Club Player of the Year (2015–16)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/article/end-of-season-awards-3089076.aspx|title=END OF SEASON AWARDS|last=@NewportCounty|website=www.newport-county.co.uk|access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> *Gillingham Player of the Season, Goal of the Season (v Bristol Rovers (League One), Away Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year (2017–18)<ref name=":0" />
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Mark Byrne}} *{{Soccerbase}}
{{Newport County A.F.C. Player of the Year}} {{Gillingham F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Byrne, Mark}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Association footballers from County Dublin Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Crumlin United F.C. players Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players Category:Burton Albion F.C. players Category:Rushden & Diamonds F.C. players Category:Barnet F.C. players Category:Newport County A.F.C. players Category:Gillingham F.C. players Category:Shelbourne F.C. players Category:Bray Wanderers F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:League of Ireland players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen