Hurling, soccer, football ... it didn't matter what sport it was - once Jonny Byrne pulled on his jersey, he gave it his all. The 19-year old, who passed away at the weekend, was 'sports mad'.
A former Knockbeg College student who was studying business at IT Carlow, Jonny was much-loved by all his classmates and team-mates. Known as the quiet one in the dressing room, he let his fancy footwork do all the talking on the pitch.
"He was big into sports. It was his life. He'd be training six or seven nights a week but hurling was his first love," explained his brother Patrick.
Described as "an absolute gentleman" by Naomh Brid chairman Seamus Brennan, Jonny packed a lot in to his few short years.
"It's a great loss. He was a very talented chap and he was becoming a more central player in the seniors. He could play anywhere. All he wanted to do was play, he didn't care where, but I suppose his best position was wing or corner back," added Seamus, who said the whole club has been 'numbed' by the tragedy.
"It's hard to comprehend and come to terms with the tragedy. It's just very hard to deal with it. He was a great chap and it's a great loss, not just as a player but as a friend. He had a very friendly disposition."
A promising hurler with Naomh Brid, Jonny was also making his mark on the county hurling and football teams, as well as playing with Vale Wanderers AFC, Leighlinbridge GFC and previously Michael Davitt's juvenile football club. Since beginning his studies at IT Carlow, Jonny had also become involved with IT Carlow's GAA club.
"He'd never go anywhere without his sliotar. He had a savage left foot as well, and he could switch from either foot (when playing)," added Patrick.
The young man was a proud Liverpool supporter and would rarely be seen wearing anything other than a sports jersey, be it Liverpool or Carlow.
According to his father he had a 'natural ability' for sports, something that was abundantly clear in his varied sporting interests and achievements.
A striker for Vale Wanderers AFC, Jonny is currently sitting on top of the scoreboard in line for the golden boot award, despite the fact that his team is second from bottom in the league. With just two rounds of matches left to play, there are six goals between himself and the second-placed striker. His team-mate Lee Conway is sitting in third position.
"It (the Golden Boot) runs 'till the end of season, but Jonny's six goals clear of the next guy to him. It was a bit of banter every week between himself and Lee. He was a sports fanatic," said club chairman Chris Collins, who texted the young man only hours before his death.
"We were scheduled to have a match on Sunday and, as usual, he was pretty much the first to text back. About a half-hour later, it was cancelled because of the weather, so I texted around again, and again he came back and just said 'no bother, see you at training'. We're in total disbelief."

Carlow Nationalist, 4th February 2014 Tweet

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