Shaun Byrne started his playing career as a trainee with West Ham and after loan spells with Bristol Rovers and Swansea City he moved to Dublin City in 2004 but he would only play four games for the club as he struggled to adapt to his new surroundings.

He attended trials at various other clubs before signing for Chesham United and later playing for Burnham, Hemel Hempstead, and finally Slough Town.

But the midfielder enjoyed significant success underage with the Republic of Ireland as he captained the under 16 side to victory at the UEFA European Championships in Scotland in May 1998.

It was the first time Ireland claimed the trophy and it was part of an unprecedented double success as the U18 team also triumphed in their own European finals the same season.

Byrne would score in the quarter-final win over Denmark and then twice in their semi-final victory against Portugal and was hugely influential as Brian Kerr’s men defeated Italy in the final, giving him the chance to lift the silverware for his team. He would also represent the Ireland under 21s.