IRISHMAN Ciaran Byrne is reportedly set to walk away from the game after five years at Carlton.

NAB Trade Radio indicated on Monday morning that the dashing defender returned home at the end of the season and is set to remain in Ireland after battling homesickness this year.

The 23-year-old helped propel his home club St Mochtas to the championship final last weekend after making a surprise appearance for his childhood side.

It is understood Byrne received Byrne’s blessing before playing his first Gaelic football game since arriving at the Blues at the end of 2013.

Finals Week 1

Ciaran Byrne dishes off a handball in a game at the MCG this year. Source: AAP

Byrne has played only 22 games in his five years at Ikon Park due to a handful of injury setbacks, including a knee reconstruction in 2016.

After playing the first two games of 2018, Byrne strained his quad in Round 2 and didn’t work his way back into Brendon Bolton’s team until Rd 19.

He fought back to play the final five games of 2018, where he produced two of his best performances yet in the closing fortnight against the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide.

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