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Byrne Enjoying FIFA Fame

November 8, 2018

Dundalk FC defender Cian Byrne is enjoying the fame that comes with playing in the League of Ireland, with the youngster’s presence on FIFA 12 recognised in his native Cavan.

The 18-year-old, from Cavan town, impressed hugely after breaking into the first team in early September, with manager Ian Foster starting him in the final ten games of the campaign.

His league debut came with a last-minute call-up to the starting lineup against Galway United at Terryland Park, and he is eyeing an off-season of gym work as he looks to build on his recent progress next season.

“Playing with Dundalk has been recognised locally, but it’s more so me being on FIFA that people talk about,” Byrne told dundalkfc.com. “Everyone says ‘oh, you’re on FIFA’. It’s mad.

“I’ve been delighted with my progress here. It came very quickly. I wasn’t supposed to be playing against Galway, and Hawks (Colin Hawkins) got injured. It was better that I didn’t have time to think about it, I just went straight in.

“In the warm-up, Darius (Kierans) came over to me and said ‘you’re starting’, so I was delighted. I was nervous but you’d expect that. To play ten games in a row was great, against tough players too – it will only make me a better player.

“Hopefully, I can build on it next year. I have a lot of work to do in the off-season building myself up. I found myself being pushed off the ball a bit too easily. That was the biggest problem for me. Football wise, it was alright, but having to play against big men, you don’t have much of a chance.”

Full interview here.