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Jack Byrne scored an impressive brace on Monday night against Waterford.
The Shamrock Rovers midfielder has been one of the standout players in the League of Ireland this season and was named in Mick McCarthy’s provisional Republic of Ireland squad last week.
On Monday night at the RSC in Waterford, Byrne showed why with two stunning strikes from distance. His first goal was a powerful drive from around 30-yards out.
25: GOAL!
Waterford FC 0-1 SHAMROCK ROVERS
Jack Byrne opens the scoring for Shamrock Rovers at the RSC with a thunderbolt from 30 yards!
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— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 19, 2019
Byrne got his second of the night five minutes later, doubling Rovers’ lead with another cracking goal.
After a driving run forward by teammate Ronan Finn, Byrne collected the ball in space outside the Waterford penalty area.
The former Oldham Athletic midfielder cut inside, dribbled past an opposition player and curled a wonderful effort into the roof of the net.
30: GOAL!
Waterford FC 0-2 SHAMROCK ROVERS
Jack Byrne does it again!
The Ireland midfielder nets another cracker from outside the area!
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #LOI #WFCvSRFC pic.twitter.com/e3ZYlld68Y
— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 19, 2019
Byrne’s performances this season, and his goal threat, could put him in contention to return to the Ireland squad – he was named in McCarthy’s squad for the March games against Gibraltar and Georgia.
On eir Sport, former Ireland and Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney, and John Caulfield, the former Cork City manager, said Byrne is good enough to play international football.
“Football is my life, it has been since I was 12, 13 years of age.”
Jack Byrne on returning home, playing for Ireland & @ShamrockRovers and why he doesn't have "unfinished business" in British football | ✍@RobRedmond10https://t.co/MG3GsK2a2q
— Pundit Arena (@PunditArena) June 14, 2019
Delaney backed him to get a callup for national team’s games against Switzerland and Bulgaria next month.
Caulfield wasn’t sure if Byrne would be in McCarthy’s squad next month but said there could be no question about the midfielder’s ability.
"Mick McCarthy likes hard-working players who defensively will put in a massive shift.
"But if we are chasing a game, I'd have him on the bench."
Former Ireland defender Damien Delaney says Jack Byrne is good enough to play international football.#LOI #WFCvSRFC pic.twitter.com/MxoXATi3wD
— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 19, 2019
Rovers went on to win the game 5-1, with Aaron Greene scoring twice after the break and Thomas Oluwa getting the fifth.
Waterford scored a consolation goal through Cory Galvin. The midfielder, like Byrne, scored a stunning goal from long-range.
78: GOAL!
WATERFORD FC 1-4 Shamrock Rovers
Another brilliant strike at the RSC!
Waterford midfielder Cory Galvin nets with a Jack Byrne-style thunderbolt from the edge of the area.
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #LOI #WFCvSRFC pic.twitter.com/7r9Gqaba3h
— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 19, 2019
