Galway hurler David Burke in attendance at the launch of the 2023 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps. Starting at the beginning of June and running up to the end of August, Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps have long played a vital role in helping young people to explore new interests, stay active as well as creating new and meaningful life-long friendships. For more information and to book now, visit www.gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamps. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
David Burke instantly knew the injury suffered at training on March 15 was serious. In the couple of days after there was a bit of hope before news arrived at the weekend that it was a damaged cruciate ligament.
Captain in 2017 when Galway claimed the All-Ireland title, Burke, such a distinguished performer in maroon and white for more than a decade, was ruled out for the remainder of the inter-county campaign.
“There was definitely huge disappointment initially regardless of knowing whether it was an ACL injury or not, Burke says.
“I knew I was definitely going to miss some part or nearly all of the inter-county championship, when it was the ACL it was obviously a year ending injury so missing the club on top.
“I've kinda set a small target, you just have to gauge it day by day to see if I can maybe get back for the latter stages of the club championship later on in the year.
“It is disappointing, but it is a mental injury more than anything. You have to set yourself small targets, instead of looking too far down the road, to win the small battles really.”
Following surgery on April 8, the St Thomas’ clubman, though, will remain involved in the background at training and on matchdays.
“I will try to go to training as much as I can with the guys, to help out as much as I can,” Burke says. “I will be with them on matchday.
Mike Casey, Limerick, and David Burke, Galway in action during the 2022 All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final at Croke Park. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
“Whatever I can, whether it is helping out the kitman or watching a match, helping out the stats lads, I will give them all a bit of a hand on the day.
“It is just good for my own head to stay involved, to offer some sort of support to the boys and players. They can bounce questions off me.
“I'm a little bit older, I can give the younger guys a bit of advice, if they take it on board they do, if they don't, they don't. At least I'm there helping out in some way.”
During the past year and a half Henry Shefflin has introduced and re-integrated a number of promising players. Having experience alongside the emerging talent is critical according to Burke.
“It is, I think it is important in any set-up that you have that mix,” he replies. “I think Henry has put in a good few new lads last year, he has trusted them. He has done the same again this year.
“A lot of guys have got a lot of game time, there is a lot of guys putting their hands up which is great. They are always going to be looking for a bit of advice and stuff like that around loads of different things - how they might play in certain positions or whatever the case may be.
“You offer them a little bit of support. They will bounce ideas off you and you tell them what you might have done or worked for you back in the day in big games. They might try them things, if they work they do or they don't.
“Every player is different, every player will do different things in the lead up to a championship game. So that is why the experienced players will have that ability to help the younger guys and to pull them along, to tutor them in that way.”
David Burke and Henry Shefflin in action during the 2012 All-Ireland SHC Final at Croke Park. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Burke acknowledges Shefflin’s contribution since taking charge of the Galway senior team. “It has been huge,” Burke says. “It's brilliant. Since his initial appointment, he's built a good management team around him and the squad has gone from strength to strength.
“He's building it again this year and he's giving loads of lads opportunities, whether in the Walsh Cup of the league and a good few of new lads have put their hands up. You'll probably see them now coming the next couple of weeks, the guys that he's really trusting.”
Saturday’s Leinster SHC opener against Wexford at Pearse Stadium will be a revealing encounter, but Burke believes Shefflin’s willingness to afford players opportunities is vital.
“That's one of the biggest things, he really puts faith in guys that might lack that little bit of self belief, which is huge for a younger player to see the likes of Henry Shefflin coming in, has won it all,” he adds.
“That's huge and it's unreal within a dressing room how he can carry himself as well. He has that huge matchday experience. Players look up to him hugely and I would have looked up to him hugely as well.
“He brings all them huge characteristics with him. And obviously he's a winner as well so that bodes well. Look, I think anything he's asked the lads to do, they've done it.
"I think the biggest thing is that the lads just go out and perform now and express themselves on the field in a way that he wants them.
“Look, we've Wexford in the first game and that's a huge match for us because we've Kilkenny obviously the following week away so it's a must-win game really when you look at it. We're building nicely and looking forward to the weekend.”
