WE’LL BURKE IT OUT
BALLINTUBBER v COROFIN All-star Ian knows Corofin will take collective responsibility
CONNACHT CLUB FINAL
Galway’s first football All-star in 15 years will be under the spotlight in Castlebar today as his club shoot for a three-in-arow of Connacht club titles.
The livewire forward has been a key man throughout Corofin’s six-in-a-row of county title wins and gained national recognition this year with Connacht champions Galway.
But Burke isn’t concerned if that leads to Ballintubber paying special attention to him.
He said: “We’re all about the collective, at Corofin and Galway. And Corofin have brilliant forwards, the two Farraghers inside, any of them are game changers themselves. If those guys can perform well and I’m marked out of it, I don’t really mind. Once we get the result.”
Burke shone this year in a Galway side that was criticised at times for being too defensive.
Corofin’s reputation is the opposite, attracting widespread admiration for their fluid style of play when streaking to All-ireland wins in 2015 and again last March.
Burke shrugged: “Every setup is different. Galway is different to Corofin and we’re different again to other teams.
“With the club, we do seem to have a style that suits our forwards. It’s brilliant to play in that. It’s equally brilliant to put on the Galway jersey and do your best for your county.
“Ultimately, it’s a results business and it’s just a matter of grinding out results. You’re just trying to be as successful as you can with both teams.”
Ballintubber - who boast the two O’connor brothers, Cillian (inset) and Diarmuid in their team – will fancy their chances of a famous win at Machale Park.
But Corofin are masters of getting the job done at this stage – indeed, many of their players have never lost a championship game in their own county.
Burke said: “Tuam beat us in a semi-final, that would be Pearse Park, 1.30pm Parnell Park, 2pm seven years ago at this stage. That was my second year playing with Corofin so I’ve certainly experienced defeat.
“We’re just lucky to have done well the last number of years.
“Look, we’re more focused on the here and now, giving each team we play the respect they deserve.”
It’s the latest instalment of the Galway-mayo rivalry, and Burke added: “To win the Mayo championship is no easy feat.
“Ballintubber had two good battles with Castlebar – and we know all about Castlebar from the times we’ve played them in Connacht.
“It’s going to be a huge battle but also a huge opportunity to showcase what we can do.”