Former Carlton star Ciaran Byrne has slammed critics of the AFL’s 'Irish experiment'.

Byrne played 22 first-grade games with Carlton before calling time on his injury-plagued career Down Under two months ago and the 24-year-old Louth native feels that county boards and former players are being “selfish” by trying to persuade players not to pursue a professional career in the AFL.

"I've seen Tomás (Ó Sé) say a lot of things and I think he is just selfish the way he is approaching it," is quoted saying by the Irish Independent.

"Obviously there are a few Kerry boys who have gone but it would have been interesting to see when Tomás was 18, if he got the call to head out, would he have said no. I don't think he would have to be honest. It's not for everyone but I would definitely advise anyone to go out there and try it.

"I have no regrets whatsoever, I have given it my all out there, I gave it five years. I played 22 senior games and was probably unlucky not to play a lot more. But my time there is done. I have learned a lot over the last five years that is going to help me as a person and as a player."

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