Ireland U20 full-back Noah Byrne is set to join AFL club Brisbane Lions after turning down a professional contract with Leinster rugby.
Earlier this year, Leinster academy manager Peter Smyth confirmed that Byrne had been offered an academy contract but opted to pursue a career in Australian Rules.
Byrne previously represented Dublin as a minor and played for Ireland in the 2026 U20 Six Nations. He is set to join an outfit who are on the verge of a remarkable three-in-a-row.
Brisbane face Fremantle this Saturday in the Grand Final. They currently have several Irish players on their list with Tyrone’s Conor McKenna, Kilkenny’s Darragh Joyce and Kerry’s Ben Murphy all involved.
Byrne is not the first player to make such a jump. Fionn O’Hara and Conor Nash both represented Leinster underage before they joined Melbourne side Hawthorn.
Meanwhile, Carlow’s John Phiri will travel with Kerry’s Evan Boyle for a trial with Richmond in the coming weeks. As reported earlier this month, U20 All-Ireland winner Boyle was one of the players identified after a combine session in Athlone.
Cork’s Timothy Cullinane with Noah Byrne of Dublin in the All-Ireland MFC quarter-final loss to Dublin in July 2023.
The other is Phiri who was immense for his county as they secured their first league or championship since 1944 by beating Longford in the Division 4 decider at Croke Park. The Asca clubman was also in attendance at the event at TUS Athlone’s campus. He took part alongside the likes of Dublin’s Charlie McMorrow, Leitrim’s Barry McNulty and Kerry U20 Daniel Kirby.
Richmond previously had Westmeath’s John Heslin at the club before he returned in 2012 due to homesickness. Down’s Jamie O’Reilly had a two-year stint with the club.
It is understood the trial was organised by talent ID and skills coach Mike Currane, who is an accredited AFL agent. Currane is known for his work in assisting Irish women to the AFLW.