David Burke, Gaelic Writers Association Awards Hurling Personality winner in 2017.
By Cian O'Connell
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It was a September that started with Liam MacCarthy being hoisted high into the Dublin sky and a month that finished with further good news for Galway.
GAA Special Congress brought further positivity for Galway with two home Championship games to be played at Pearse Stadium next summer. The maroon and white Under 21 team will compete in Leinster and there is a revamped All Ireland minor series.
A teacher in St Brigid's, Loughrea, David Burke knows all about the importance of the next generation. “You’d be talking about it even in school with other teachers and at home," Burke says about the decisions made at Croke Park on September 30.
"The chat last week was all about that. It’s great from a minor and an Under 21 perspective and it’s good at senior level as well. There are more games for everyone.
"This time last year everybody was asking what way do people think about it, but it’s about progress and where we want to get to in a few years.
"It’s a trial and error thing. This system mightn’t work, but we have to see how it goes. It’s going to be new and counties will have to get themselves ready for it. It’ll be interesting to see how teams respond to it."
David Burke captained Galway to All Ireland glory.
Burke recalls Galway's own adventure in 2011, the last time the hurlers played a competitive summer match in Salthill. “We played Clare inside in Pearse Stadium and then we played the next qualifier the following week in Limerick against Cork and then lost the quarter-final to Waterford," Burke recalls.
"We played three weeks in a row. It’s great to get home championship games. You could get Kilkenny at home or go to Nowlan Park and it might just bring the crowds up.
"I know people are worried that the knock-out element will be gone, but I think you’re still going to get good games.
"I know we have the League before it, but the games in the League this year were good quality ones and I don’t think you’re going to have teams falling back."
It has been a successful and silverware laden campaign for the Allianz League, Leinster, and All Ireland champions. The past month has been memorable for the St Thomas' clubman.
"Nothing was going to prepare either the squad or the management for all the goings-on after the match," Burke admits. "We never knew what it was going to be like. It was busy. I don’t mind going to places.
"Everyone is rowing in and doing their fair share with the cup. It’s great to bring the cup to young and old people and see the happiness it’s brought to them. "I’m delighted personally to do it on behalf of the squad after what’s been a great year.”
