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Shamrock Rovers midfielder Jack Byrne has said he has yet to meet with the club to discuss his future.
Following a 4-2 FAI Cup final loss to Dundalk at Aviva Stadium, Byrne, who has been linked to an APOEL signing of Mick McCarthy in Cyprus, has said he will take a break before evaluating the situation.
“I don’t know, I haven’t sat down with the club,” was Byrne’s reply when asked if he would be a Shamrock Rovers player next season.
“I love the club, the club has been incredible to me. The coach here (Stephen Bradley), Glen Cronin and Stephen McPhail have been incredible to me. They are like a second family to me.
“I wouldn’t want to go out and say anything. When it’s done, you’ll know.
“I haven’t made a decision yet, I’m going to take a week or two off and then see where it leaves me.
“I would just like to thank everyone involved in the club for supporting the team this year because it has been a very difficult year.
“We’re obviously heartbroken that we couldn’t get double, but we’re happy to bring the league home to the fans. It’s been a long time and thanks to the fans for supporting us all year.”
Byrne also hit the state of the field for the final, and was baffled that the Irish Nations Cup rugby match with Scotland had been played at the venue the day before.
“Anyway, it’s a joke, the condition the field is in.”
“To play a rugby match the night before the Cup final, when they have had the whole year to play, I don’t even want to talk about it, to be honest. The Cup final should have ended a week ago. anyway. From that point of view, it’s crazy. ”
The Rovers gave up the FAI Cup after Seán Hoare scored for the Lilywhites in overtime before David McMillan completed his hattrick and secured a 4-2 win for Louth’s team later on.
Rovers won the trophy last year against the same opposition to end a 32-year wait, but Byrne said he didn’t see the game going as close to shooting as it did on that occasion.
“In the back of my head I didn’t think I was going to go to penalties, I thought someone was going to win it because it was open and both teams were going for it.
“They scored the goals and they are well deserved, they are a good team and they have incredible players who can hurt you at any moment. The club will come back stronger next year.”
Last year’s masterpiece was played in front of 33,111 fans, and Byrne said it just wasn’t the same without the fans roaring at both teams.
“It’s weird, even the game preparation,” he said.
“Last year you were hanging out at the Aviva Stadium, 40,000 people there, family, friends. You walk into the locker room and you are like a boxer preparing to enter the war.
“It didn’t have that final cup feeling, last year’s 40,000. Don’t take anything away from it, obviously we wanted to win, we wanted to take the trophy home to the club.
“It shows, even with Dundalk celebrating there, that football is nothing without the fans and I hope we get them back soon.”
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