Ciaran Byrne

Carlton keen for Irishman Ciaran Byrne’s return

The half-back flanker has spent the last five seasons at home playing Gaelic Footy.

Published by
Juri Bilcich

Former Blue Ciaran Byrne has confirmed Carlton has approached him about making a return to the AFL.

The 27-year-old played 22 games in four seasons for the Navy Blues, however, injuries proved to be a hampering factor cutting his career short in 2018.

Byrne suffered a torn ACL in 2015 before suffering the same injury during a Round 15 clash with old-rivals Collingwood in 2016.

He has been an integral part of Irish club side Louth rise under Manager Mickey Harte.

Speaking on LMFM radio in Ireland, Byrne confirmed the Blues have been in contact with him about a return, nearly four years since he made his retirement to return home.

"I feel like the whole country has been talking about it at this stage rumours do spread, he said per the Independent.ie.

"Look, they have been in contact, there's no lying about it and it is something I am considering at this stage. I'm 27 now, definitely getting on and don't get me wrong I love GAA and GAA is my first love.

"And I have a bit of a decision to make ... they have been in touch. GAA is my first protocol now at the minute and look it is an option and it is something I have to consider and see where it takes me.

"I think I'm home three years at this stage and don't get me wrong, I love home. And it's a big year for Louth next year and it's a decision I am not taking lightly. And at the minute it probably is looking towards staying at home and we have gone so far with Louth at this stage.

"We're in Division 2 and a Mickey and Gavin (Devlin) are putting together something special and I don't want to miss that either. So it is something that is being put into place this last couple of weeks. I (pass) no remarks of it, people are talking about it as much as I am I haven't thought about it... We'll see how the next couple of weeks go.

"I feel like there was always an itch I wanted to scratch. I had an interrupted couple of seasons out there and only ended up playing (around) 25 games which in the grand scheme of things is quite cool I did achieve that, but I always see myself as a player who would have played a lot more games if I wasn't injured as much.

"So it probably was an itch I wanted to scratch but as I said my eyes are set on preparing for GAA next season and as I said we'll see how the next couple of weeks go."

Byrne has selected as a Category B Rookie by Carlton in 2014 and made 22 appearances in a monogrammed guernsey before knee injuries brought his tenure on Royal Parade to a close.

Published by
Juri Bilcich