Boost for Louth as Byrne set to reject AFL return

Louth have received a huge boost with the news that star forward Ciarán Byrne will remain with the county senior football team despite intense speculation of a return to the AFL.

Speculation was abound that Byrne was set to potentially make a return to Australian Rules football with his former club Carlton, but RTÉ Sport has confirmed that he will remain with the Wee County.

It is understood that the Louth and St Mochtas forward had been contacted by the AFL club in recent weeks with a return to Australia on the cards.

The classy 27-year-old spent five years with Carlton between 2013 and 2018 and is highly regarded there, but he has greatly impressed since his return to the Louth team with Mickey Harte guiding the side to back-to-back league promotions.

Byrne will stay with the county team in 2023 as Louth look to consolidate their status in Division 2 as a rapidly developing side.