BURKE SATISIFED

Wicklow boss pleased with attitude

WICKLOW Senior football manager Davy Burke has expressed his satisfaction with the attitude and application shown by players at last Thursday’s county trial in Ballinakill.

Burke, who took over John Evans as manager of the Garden County footballers at the end of September, oversaw a 13-a-side exhibition game between 26 players from several clubs across the county, with players from An Tóchar, Dunlavin, and St. Patrick’s exempt due to their Leinster championship commitments.

Speaking following the session, Burke said that he was happy with the intensity and effort shown by those who were present.

‘I would have come here with a blank canvas. I wouldn’t have come here knowing an awful lot of them, except for a few from last year, let’s say, so we’d be very happy,’ he said.

‘When there are trials, what are you looking for out of the lads other than a good attitude and application?

‘You’re not looking for anybody, on the 25th or 26th of October, to go kicking six or seven scores, or anything like that, so application and attitude, we got in spades.’

In the hours leading up to Thursday night’s trial, Burke name Gary Jameson and Mike Hassett as part of his new management team.

Both men will be well-known in Wicklow, with Jameson having spent his club career playing for St. Pat’s, before later moving on to being the Head of S&C with the Garden County Academy.

Hassett, meanwhile, enjoyed a decorated playing tenure; winning All-Ireland and Munster championships with Kerry, before spending his later time plying his trade with An Tóchar.

‘I was looking for guys who knew the county well, and knew the club scene well, so that was the first thing that I was going after.

‘Then, I was looking for good footballers; good football men with good football brains,’ Burke reflected.

‘A big thing for me is, away from football, you have to be able to get on, and we are going to meet a hell of a lot this year; training, games, meetings, etc.

‘We’re like three friends already, moreso than a management team.

The panel of players who turned up at the open trial in Ballinakill last Thursday night.

The new Wicklow management team of Gary Jameson, manager Davy Burke and Mike Hassett.