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.[2] Despite interest from other clubs, two years later he signed apprentice terms with the club until 2011.[2] Byrne was released by Forest in December 2011 and joined Rochdale on trial, scoring in a reserve game against Manchester City.[3] After impressing on trial, Byrne signed an 18-month contract with the League One club on 1 January 2012.[4] He made his debut for the Dale on 31 March 2012, in a 3–3 draw with relegation rivals Walsall.[5] In November 2012, he joined Football Conference side Barrow on a one-month loan deal.[6]
After his impressive season with Telford, he signed for Macclesfield Town.[9] 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.[10] In the 2016–17 season, Macclesfield finished 9th in the National League.[11] They also reached the final of the FA Trophy in 2016–17, however they lost 3–2 against York City.[12]
Gateshead
Byrne agreed to join Gateshead on 26 May 2017 until the end of the season.[13] He made his debut on the opening day of the season in a 1–2 defeat against Woking,[14] scoring his first, and only, goal for the club three days later in a 1–0 victory over Guiseley.[15]
AFC Fylde
In May 2018, Byrne signed for AFC Fylde on a two-year deal.[16] In his first year, he played 44 games in the National League and scored 2 goals as Fylde finished fifth in the table.[17] In the play-offs, Fylde reached the final, but lost 3–0 to Salford City.[18] Byrne also managed to help Fylde reach the final of the FA Trophy, while he did start the final, he was substituted off[19] due to a head injury. Fylde won 1–0 against Leyton Orient.[20]
In Byrne's second season for Fylde, he played 37 games in the National League and scored 2 goals. Unfortunately, his contributions were not enough, as Fylde were relegated after finishing in 23rd.[21] Fylde managed to reach the third round of the FA Cup, before losing 2–1 to, then, Premier League side, Sheffield United.[22]
FC Halifax Town
On 23 September 2020, Byrne signed for National League side FC Halifax Town.[23] 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.[24]
Hartlepool United
On 16 July 2021, Byrne signed for Hartlepool United for an undisclosed fee.[25] Byrne made his Hartlepool debut in a 1–0 victory against Crawley Town.[26] In 2021–22, Byrne played 51 times for Hartlepool, scoring once.[27]
On 6 January 2023, Byrne signed for League Two rivals Stockport County for an undisclosed fee on a deal until the end of the season. The move would see Byrne play under manager Dave Challinor for a third time having also worked with him at AFC Fylde and Hartlepool United.[28] He was a member of the Stockport side that won the League Two title in 2023–24, making 22 appearances throughout the season.[29]
Bradford City
On 20 May 2024, Byrne signed for League Two club Bradford City on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[29]
