TRUE SON OF DOWN
PETE MCGRATH has described Eamonn Burns as “a very dignified man who had a great honesty about him” as Down last night came to terms with the sudden loss of one of its favourite sons.
The two-time All-ireland winner passed away suddenly yesterday, news which 1991 and 1994 All-ireland winning manager Mcgrath (below) says struck him like “a bolt out of the blue”.
Mcgrath paid an emotional tribute to his former midfielder as a person and a footballer, and also revealed the ‘94 team – which reunited to celebrate their 25th year anniversary just weeks ago – had promised to meet again soon.
“We spent the All-ireland final weekend in Dublin and DJ Kane (‘94 captain) was heavily involved in organising things and said a few people were putting things in place for the group to meet more formally, more regularly, from now on,” said
Mcgrath.
“It was a good idea because although you might live near someone you might not actually see them for quite some time or just bump into them accidentally.
“When someone passes away suddenly you realise you haven’t seen enough of each other.
“In times of difficulty, it helps to go back and feed off those special times and remember how great these men were who played in those games, and Eamonn certainly played his part in all of that.” Mcgrath, who went on to manage Fermanagh and Louth before returning at the start of this season to manage his native club Rostrevor, paid a glowing tribute to Burns’ role in Down’s successful team of the early 1990’s.
“Eamonn’s family will be hurting the most and it is hard to process what has happened, but it helps to draw on your own experiences. I think of Eamonn first as a person and second as a footballer and he was a very key part of what we achieved, .
“He brought his own personality. He was an understated man – not quiet, but not in your face.
“You have your characters, people who have fire, ambition, drive and want to do well and he was all of those things, just in a restrained way.
“He never seemed to be under pressure on the field, he was in control no matter what was going on around him.”
Burns replaced Jim Mccorry as Down manager in 2015 and led the team for three seasons – at a time when the job was regarded as something of a poisoned chalice due.
Reaching the 2017 Ulster final was the high point of his tenure, and he stepped down in 2018, succeeded by Paddy Tally. But it’s as a player that he will be most fondly remembered by GAA fans.
The high point of his career
Desperately sad. Taught me in school at a time when Down delivered 2 ulster & all Ireland titles. He inspired many of my generation growing up wanting to play for Down. A man of few words. As a kid I remember the ‘91 final and his brilliant performance at midfield. RIP was the 1991 All-ireland final, when he scored two points from play in the win over hot favourites Meath.
“That was his finest hour because he reached a level he hadn’t reached earlier in the season. Others also reached their optimum level that day.
“He scored two points, worked hard and all the things he was good at gelled that day.
“When you looked at Eamonn, you knew exactly what you were getting – there was no agendas, no back doors, just someone who gave you a great perspective.
“He didn’t say much in the dressing-room so when he spoke, people tended to listen because they knew Burnsy wasn’t talking just for the sake of talking.
“He’d let you know that yes, something or other was important, but it wasn’t life or death. You take things for granted at the time but times like this remind you how special they were, and how special this group of men were.” @mourneman82
Didn’t know Big Eamon personally but he will go down as a Down Gaa legend an a gentleman. His 2 points in the 91 All Ireland Final will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and all