LOUTH’S CIARAN BYRNE is in line to make his debut in the AFL this year for Carlton Blues after being upgraded from the rookie list.
The 20 year-old has been upgraded after Carlton player Cameron Giles has been ruled out with a long-term injury.
That has paved the way for him to be on the brink of joining fellow Irish players Zach Tuohy and Ciaran Sheehan in the Carlton first team.
Byrne signed with Carlton as an International Rookie at the end of the 2013 season and played 14 games in the Victorian Football League last year for Northern Blues, an affiliate club of Carlton.
In February, Byrne featured for Carlton’s senior side for the first time this year when they took on the Eagles in the NAB Challenge Cup.
He has been named as one of three emergencies for tomorrow night’s AFL Round 2 match against West Coast in Perth as Carlton seek to bounce back from last week’s opening loss to Richmond.
Zach Tuohy has been named in the half-back line while Sheehan is marked absent with a groin injury.
