One highly-rated Ireland U20s international has turned his back on a future in Irish rugby, turning down a professional contract with Leinster in favour of a move to the AFL.
Noah Byrne has been in action for the U20s at the Junior World Championship over the past three weeks, starting the first two pool stage games against England and Argentina, scoring a late try against the English.
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Byrne is among the paciest young back-three players in Ireland, and has starred for both Trinity College and the Leinster Academy in recent years.
However, the manager of the Leinster academy has now confirmed that Byrne has decided against signing a professional contract with the province, instead choosing to move down under to try his hand at Aussie Rules.
Ireland U20s star makes AFL switch
John O’Sullivan of the Irish Times broke the news on Tuesday evening that Noah Byrne has agreed a deal with an AFL club, turning his back on a potential future with Leinster and Ireland (for now, at least).
Byrne is said to have been offered an academy contract by Leinster, but has instead given in to years of approaches from Australia to agree to a move down under.
A multi-talented sportsman, Byrne was reportedly approached first while playing minor football for Dublin during his fifth year in Gonzaga. That year, he and the Dubs reached the All-Ireland semi-finals, with Byrne starting at wing-forward for the last-four defeat to Derry.
25 June 2023; Noah Byrne of Dublin in action against Odhran Campbell of Derry during the Electric Ireland GAA Football All-Ireland Minor Championship Semi Final match between Dublin and Derry at Box-It Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
He stayed in Ireland to play Senior Cup rugby with Gonzaga in his sixth year, a season which saw them beaten by St. Michael’s in the third round.
Since then, Byrne has established himself as one of the fastest youngsters in Irish Rugby, and was a staple of Andrew Browne’s Ireland U20s team during this year’s Six Nations and World Championships.
Byrne provided four assists, and was second in the tournament offload charts with nine across Ireland’s five games.
Indeed, the Irish Times report suggests that Byrne could have made his Australian move earlier were it not for his desire to play for the Ireland U20s.
A recurring shoulder injury, which popped up once more during the World Championships, requires attention. After surgery, Byrne will be off down under.
The prospect of a move to Australia is a hugely exciting one for the 20-year-old. However, at a time when Mayo GAA is bemoaning the loss of their own superstar in Kobe McDonald, Irish rugby fans will be lamenting the loss of their own hugely promising youngster.