Neill Byrne

Neill Byrne (born 2 February 1993) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Doncaster Rovers.

Career

Early career Byrne was born in Portmarnock, Ireland. He started his career with Irish sides Portmarnock and Belvedere before joining the Nottingham Forest Youth Academy at the age of 14. Despite interest from other clubs, two years later he signed apprentice terms with the club until 2011. After impressing on trial, Byrne signed an 18-month contract with the League One club on 1 January 2012. He made his debut for the Dale on 31 March 2012, in a 3–3 draw with relegation rivals Walsall. In November 2012, he joined Football Conference side Barrow on a one-month loan deal.

AFC Telford United He joined AFC Telford United in June 2013 after being released by Rochdale. On 26 April 2014, he won promotion to the Conference Premier with Telford after they clinched the Conference North title on the final game of the season.

Macclesfield Town After his impressive season with Telford, he signed for Macclesfield Town. During his 2 year spell, he made 59 National League appearances and 3 FA Cup appearances. He scored 4 goals in the National League and started the majority of games, helping Macclesfield to 10th in the 2015–16 season. In the 2016–17 season, Macclesfield finished 9th in the National League. They also reached the final of the FA Trophy in 2016–17, however they lost 3–2 against York City.

Gateshead Byrne agreed to join Gateshead on 26 May 2017 until the end of the season. He made his debut on the opening day of the season in a 1–2 defeat against Woking, scoring his first, and only, goal for the club three days later in a 1–0 victory over Guiseley.

AFC Fylde In May 2018, Byrne signed for AFC Fylde on a two-year deal. In his first year, he played 44 games in the National League and scored 2 goals as Fylde finished fifth in the table. In the play-offs, Fylde reached the final, but lost 3–0 to Salford City. Byrne also managed to help Fylde reach the final of the FA Trophy, while he did start the final, he was substituted off due to a head injury. Fylde won 1–0 against Leyton Orient. Fylde managed to reach the third round of the FA Cup, before losing 2–1 to, then, Premier League side, Sheffield United.

FC Halifax Town On 23 September 2020, Byrne signed for National League side FC Halifax Town. In Byrne's first, and only, year at Halifax, he played 40 games and scored 1 goal in the National League. Halifax finished the season in tenth position.

Hartlepool United On 16 July 2021, Byrne signed for Hartlepool United for an undisclosed fee. Byrne made his Hartlepool debut in a 1–0 victory against Crawley Town. In 2021–22, Byrne played 51 times for Hartlepool, scoring once.

Tranmere Rovers In July 2022, Byrne signed for League Two club Tranmere Rovers for an undisclosed fee. He was a member of the Stockport side that won the League Two title in 2023–24, making 22 appearances throughout the season. On 26 January 2026, Byrne joined League One club Doncaster Rovers on loan until the end of the season.

Byrne departed Bradford upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2025–26 season.

Doncaster Rovers

On 9 June 2026, Byrne signed for League One club Doncaster Rovers on a two-year deal.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

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2011–12 League One

2012–13 League Two

3!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!4!!0 Barrow (loan) 2012–13 Conference Premier

Southport (loan) 2012–13 Conference Premier

2013–14 Conference North

2014–15 Conference Premier

AFC Fylde FA Trophy: 2018–19

Stockport County EFL League Two: 2023–24