Newmarket mourns the passing of Donal Burke

EARLY this week, a light was blown out in Newmarket GAA circles on the passing of former dual player Donal Burke. Though domiciled in Loughrea, Co. Galway, Donal remained in contact with his native Newmarket and earlier this year attended a 50th Anniversary get together in Charleville that recalled Newmarket’s outright victory in the 1970 County Junior Football Final.

Donal was a key member of the starting line to the campaign that will be forever etched in the memory of Newmarket supporters on sweeping to their first county title in the grade. That win was made all the sweeter after Newmarket became the first side to win a hotly competitive Duhallow championship three years in succession when they defeated Dromtariffe by a five point margin.

Crucially, Newmarket availed of the chances that came their way, amply illustrated by not kicking a single wide in the opening half whereas a wayward Dromtariffe registered nine wides by the break.

Into the county, Newmarket recorded a comprehensive victory over Valley Rovers before they offered impressive reserves of stamina and character to hold off Douglas in a thrilling semi final. The scores were level four times during the hour and tension was at breaking point with less than three minutes to go when Newmarket full-forward Ben Eardley sent over the crossbar from a pointed free for the match winner.

That secured Newmarket a ticket to their third appearance in a County JAFC Final, hoping to overcome previous disappointment of losing to Urhan in a game played at Killarney in 1928 before surrendering to Canovee on a replay in 1950.

However third time lucky for Newmarket on smashing the hoodoo to the 1970 decider after lowering the hopes of Adrigole in the Macroom staging. The patience and loyalty of Newmarket supporters had been tested for many a year but on this occasion, they shed tears of pure joy on a historic day.

The triumphant Newmarket panel included Jim Culloty, Tony Forde, Jer Dowling, Ted Feehin, Jack Collins, Seanie Daly, Con Collins, Neilius Collins, Billy Daly, Donal Burke, Jim Deasy, Eddie O’Sullivan, Donal O’Gorman, Ben Eardley, T D Cronin, Michael O’Halloran, Paudie Feehin, Michael Flanagan, Jim O’Gorman, Diarmuid Flaherty, Jim Tobin, John Dwyer.

In a statement this week, Newmarket GAA expressed sadness to hear of the passing of a key team member.

“Donal was a tremendous dual player for our club and was a part of the team that won the Junior A County Championship in 1970. We wish to express our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to his wife Bridie, children Siobhan, Ruth and Daniel, brothers John, Ted and Padraig and his extended family,” the club posted.

“Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a aimn dilís.