Sean Byrne

Sean Patrick Byrne (23 August 1955 – 11 August 2003) was an association football player who played as a defender. Born in Ireland, he represented the New Zealand national team at international level. Byrne was a highly regarded player at Dundalk, forming an outstanding combination in central midfield with Leo Flanagan. Perhaps the highlight of his career was in Dundalk's 1981 European Cup Winners tie against Tottenham Hotspur when Byrne successfully curtailed the influence of English superstar Glenn Hoddle and Argentinian international Ossie Ardilles - despite Spurs claiming a 2-1 aggregate victory. A move to New Zealand club Gisborne City followed and it was there after some outstanding performances in the New Zealand Football Championship that Byrne was called up for the New Zealand men's national football team.