Defender Luke Byrne leaves Shamrock Rovers after five years

Defender Luke Byrne has announced he is to leave Shamrock Rovers after five years with the Tallaght club.

The left-back, who can also play in the centre of defence, caused a stir when he swapped Bohemians for their cross-town rivals at the beginning of the 2014 season.

25-year-old Byrne made 105 appearances, including 97 starts, over the course of five years at Tallaght Stadium and scored one goal – against Galway United in 2015.

However a cruciate knee ligament injury sustained in a league defeat away to Cork City ended his 2016 season and kept him off the field for almost a year.

My last season as a @ShamrockRovers rovers player finished. I gave everything I had on and off the pitch for 5 years. Thanks to everyone connected with the club for treating me so well. Best of luck to everyone involved from the academy upto first team next season.

— Luke Byrne (@LukeByrne93) October 27, 2018

The Dubliner started 26 games the following season on his return from injury but has been restricted to just 12 in all competitions this season.

"My last season as a Shamrock Rovers player finished," Byrne said on Twitter.

"I gave everything I had on and off the pitch for 5 years. Thanks to everyone connected with the club for treating me so well.

"Best of luck to everyone involved from the academy up to first team next season."

Byrne played underage football with St Kevin's Boys and made the move to Bohemians in 2012, making his debut in a Setanta Sports Cup game against Portadown.

The defender, who has recently been part of the coaching team under Damien Duff with Shamrock Rovers under-15s, represented Ireland through the age grades to under-21 level.