Byrne signs on for another 2 years

18 year old Shaun Byrne has signed a two year professional contract with the Club

Shaun Byrne has signed a two year professional contract with the Club.  The 18 year old midfielder who has been at Dunfermline Athletic since U15 level told the website:-

"I'm delighted, really happy with it. I have been working hard and training with the first team a lot and have been on the bench quite a few times."

Shaun has also played in quite a lot of the Reserve games against SPL opposition.  This involvement with the first team squad has been beneficial with him adding:-

"I feel that I have improved, the pace is a lot quicker with the first team and the standard is a lot better. The games have been good as well because you are playing against experienced players"

He first started under Eric Archibald, then David Bingham and Ian Fergus for his first year at U17's, then Gordon Durie and Stevie Paterson.Towards the end of his second year at U17 level he started to become involved in the U19 team, under Hamish French.

Manager Jim McIntyre was pleased to be able to give Shaun his first big opportunity into the senior game:-

"He has been doing very well, the young lad and we are delighted to offer him his first professional contract.

"He has very good vision but he obviously still has lots of things to work on.He has impressed me, he has played with the Reserves when we have arranged bounce games and we think he has great potential.

"The chance is there, but I will reiterate that what this is for a young boy is a chance. If you look at some of our previous boys who have had a chance, most of them have been released the following year. I think it is important for young boys to realise now that when they get the opportunity of a professional contract that they don't sit back and relax and think that's it.

"It's going to kick on from here, that's where the hard work starts and you have got to make sure that you are driving to get into that first team. He definitely has the ability, there is no doubt in my mind about that."

The youngster was asked if he was aware of the Manager's judgement on his potential:-

"Definitely, but there is still a lot of work ahead of me."

Although he was made available to play in Scottish Youth Cup ties this season, Shaun has not played too many games for the U19's this term, because of his inclusion in the first team squad. He admitted that it had been hard not playing as much but still spends time with his contemporaries:-

"It has been hard, but I have enjoyed training with the first team and being involved.I speak to all of the boys every day, I still go into the U19s changing room, and I am always with them.  But if I train with the first team in the morning, then I might go to the gym in the afternoon.Depending on which day it is, then I could also train with the 19's in the afternoon, for example on a Tuesday, but if it is later in the week, then I would probably just go to the gym after training with the first team."

Asked if there were any particular players who gave him advice?

"Willis, Mason and Hardie are always speaking to me and helping me to do things better and try and improve me as a player.Martin Hardie has been really good.You always try and learn more from an experienced player."

Director of Football Jim Leishman was delighted to have Shaun signed for a further 2 years, "I'd like to congratulate Shaun on earning this extension, he's worked hard to earn this, and he's got a lot more hard work to come in the next 2 years. Hopefully we will have more kids coming through the youth system."