Paul Byrne

Age: 27.

Position: right side of midfield/wing.

Previous clubs: Bluebell, Oxford United, Bangor, Celtic, Brighton, Southend United, Glenavon, Shelbourne.

Honours: won an Irish Cup winners medal during his season with Bangor. Also that year he won the Players' and Football Writers' player of the Year and Young Player of the Year Awards.

International honours: capped at every level up to under-21, he was on the bench for the senior friendly against Russia on March '94.

Club form this season: best known for the two goals he scored in Old Firm derbies, Byrne has established himself as a key player in the Bohemians revival since last summer. On his day he looks the most technically gifted footballer in the league although he has a tendency to appear less than completely fit. Has scored seven league goals, two from the penalty spot and contributed a hat-trick to last Sunday's defeat of Sligo.

Cup final role: Byrne's natural ability with the ball makes him a handful for any defender or mar ker. His trickery enables him to get past players and his passing ability is second to none. Aside from getting forward and the threat in dead-ball situations, Byrne's vision will be a key factor if the tightest defence in the country is to be broken down.

Future prospects: out of contract at Bohemians, Byrne is heading to America to play for the Hershey Wildcats in the A League - one grade below MLS. If that goes well he may step up to play for a club at the highest level in America but Bohemians hope to have him back in this country in the autumn.