CARLTON Football Club wishes to thank Ciaran Byrne for his services to the Club, after the 23-year-old decided to return to his homeland of Ireland.

The young defender made the decision to retire from AFL football and part ways with the Club on October 7, after a number of discussions over the past two weeks and throughout the course of the year.

Riddled by injury, including rupturing his ACL halfway through the 2016 season, Byrne managed 22 senior games since arriving at Ikon Park as a Category B Rookie via the 2014 AFL Rookie Draft.

Meanwhile, Category B Rookie and fellow Irishman Cillian McDaid has also informed the Club he has retired from AFL football. Hailing from County Galway, McDaid spent one year at the Blues and was unable to make his senior debut.

Byrne said the decision to return home after four years at the Club was incredibly difficult.

“This decision hasn’t been made lightly, it’s something that’s been on my mind for a while but ultimately I feel the time is right for me to go back home,” Byrne said.

“The Club has been incredibly supportive, managing the best interests of both myself and my family and for that I will always be incredibly thankful and grateful. I will miss the Club, my teammates and coaches and will always be a Carlton person.

“I wish the boys the very best for next season and beyond.”



Ciaran Byrne played 22 games for the Blues after converting from Gaelic football. (Photo: AFL Media)

Head of Football Brad Lloyd said the Club understood the duo’s decision to return to their home country to reconnect with family.

“We are disappointed to lose a quality young player like Ciaran, but we understand his decision to return to Ireland for personal and family-related reasons,” Lloyd said.

“As a club we have supported Ciaran very closely over a number of years, but ultimately his desire to return home was too strong, so we accept that and will continue to support him as he transitions into the next phase of his life.

“We also hope Ciaran makes a speedy recovery after breaking his ankle playing Gaelic football on the weekend.

“Likewise, we’re also accepting of Cillian’s decision to return to Ireland – it’s a huge challenge for these players to travel and live on the other side of the world.

“We wish Cillian and Ciaran all the very best for the future and thank them for their services to the Club.”