HOSTS FINN FINE FETTLE NO CITY PANIC
Waterford FIVE-STAR Graham Burke is determined to keep finding the net this season - with an Ireland recall his goal.
The Shamrock Rovers striker blitzed Cork City in Friday’s 6-0 win at Tallaght Stadium. It was the first time a Hoops player had scored five in the Premier Division since the split to two tiers in 1985.
The result also marked the sorry Rebels’ biggest ever league defeat.
Preston loanee Burke, 26, used his previous spell at Rovers to work his way into Martin O’neill’s Ireland squad for the summer friendlies of 2018.
He made his debut as a sub against World Cup-winners-to-be France at the Stade de France.
Days later he netted in the win over the USA at the Aviva Stadium, becoming the first League of Ireland-based player to score for the Boys in Green in 40 years.
“You can never say never,” said Burke on regaining his place in the squad. “I’ve done it once while playing in the league, Jack Byrne has done it while playing in the league.
“Obviously for me, it’s to keep playing football, to attack every single game like I attacked on Friday night.
“What will be will be. It’s an ambition for anybody to play for their country. I’ve done it before, so why can’t I do it again?”
Though under contract at Deepdale until the summer of next year, Burke will remain at Rovers until this July at least.
“It’s hard for me to express to people why I came home,” he said of returning last summer.
“The only person who knows why I came home is myself, that’s a decision I made and I’m comfortable with that.
“I love playing for this club and, as long as the club wants me to play for them, I’ll play for them.
“I’m a Preston player and I don’t know what’s going to happen with that situation but, for now, I enjoy playing for Shamrock Rovers.”
Burke took a knock to a calf in the first half on Friday but played on, though he sat out stoppage time on the bench after all the subs had been used.
But boss Stephen Bradley expects him to be fit for tonight’s trip to Waterford.
RORY GAFFNEY will be at the RSC tonight but the new Hoops striker signing from Salford City won’t be available to play as he has yet to complete a medical.
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IAN MORRIS insists Finn Harps will deserve extra respect this season.
Ollie Horgan’s side are usually tipped for relegation but have made some eye-catching signings.
Barry Mcnamee, Dave Webster and Shane Mceleney are the marquee arrivals. And Ryan Connolly marked his league return with the goal in Friday’s 1-1 derby draw at Derry City.
The Candystripes required a last-gasp equaliser at home to deny Harps a second win after beating Sligo Rovers on the opening night.
Shels went down fighting against Dundalk and boss Morris (above) said: “It didn’t quite come off but we showed we can play and dig in when needed. We know what type of characters we have in the building but you can’t afford to be undone by two set-pieces in the first half.
“Harps have a good squad and will get results and turn teams over. Like all Ollie sides, they will also be tough to play.”
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DECLAN DEVINE insists nobody at Derry City is panicking after banking one point from six.
The Candystripes lost in Dundalk before needing a late equaliser at home to Finn Harps on Friday. They arrive in the capital to face Saints who bounced back from a Waterford loss to win in Sligo. Devine said: “Conditions were horrendous on Friday but there’s no panic. We’ve very good players at this club and there’ll be competition for places all season long.”
Saints are without on-loan defender Ollie Younger after he was sent off in Sligo but boss O’donnell said: “I thought we played well and deservedly won.”