Fit-again Burke set to return for Galway replay
TURLOUGHMORE’S Daithí Burke could well be in line to be added to the Galway match day squad for their Leinster championship quarter-final replay against Dublin at O’Connor Park, Tullamore on Saturday (4:45pm).
Burke, who broke a bone in his hand in a challenge match against Limerick in April, is back hurling this week and while the imposing centre-half back may lack match fitness, he still represents a massive option for Galway boss Anthony Cunningham.
“To be totally honest, we won’t know until Thursday night. We are going to play a bit of a hurling match. At the very least, he [Daithí Burke] will be pushing to sit on the match day squad.”
The other Burke in question – St. Thomas’ David Burke – will also benefit from the extra week. The 2012 All-Star winner, who had been struggling with a hand injury as well, came on for the final six minutes against Dublin and his return to fitness is another major boost to Galway’s chances this weekend.
“With the extra week, he will come on as well,” says Cunningham. “So, both of them (the two Burkes) will be pushing hard to start. Other than that, we have no injuries. Nothing major anyway, thanks be to God. It is the first time that has happened in a long time.”
Delighted to be still in the championship mix, Cunningham acknowledges that the additional competitive game will stand greatly to the winner going forward after Saturday’s replay.
“That’s true, big time, but we have to win it now. “In fairness, the reaction from the players has been very good. A lot of players are happy with their performances and then there were guys who were disappointed with their performances and that is great to see. They do really care and they do want to play championship at the top of their game.”
A great deal of the talk around the county this week has been the failure by Leinster Council to fix the replay for Pearse Stadium, with many pondering when will the county’s hurling fraternity again see senior championship hurling played at the Galway venue.
The Galway boss, too, has been vocal on this issue but he insists it will not be a distraction. “No, we (Galway squad) don’t look at those things,” states Cunningham, who agrees O’Connor Park is a venue they have become very familiar with in recent times, particularly after playing All-Ireland champions Kilkenny twice there last year.
Full preview in this week's Connacht Tribune.