Burns scoops writers’ award

Burns scoops writers’ award

12 July 2017

DOWN manager Eamon Burns has won the Quinn Building Products Ulster GAA Writers’ Association Merit Award for June.

The Bryansford club man has endured a difficult time since the start of the year, but the Down boss received a timely boost as he heads into Sunday’s Ulster final against Tyrone. 

If the 1991 and 1994 All-Ireland medal winner endured frustration, disappointment and trauma earlier in the year, as players left his squad and the future seemed uncertain,  recent weeks have brought redemption on a significant scale. 

His team maintained their status in Division 2 and then produced stunning displays last month to terminate the Ulster Championship title hopes of Armagh and Monaghan.

Cast in the role of complete outsiders against Monaghan in particular, Down answered their critics in spectacular fashion; their skill, courage and character underpinning an unforeseen win that also helped to further galvanise the province’s flagship competition.

Undoubtedly, Burns’ leadership and planning was central to that surprise performance, and he was clearly delighted to have won the honour. He was not slow to apportion credit where he feels it belongs.

“While I am obviously thrilled to be recognised in this way, I am accepting the trophy as a recognition of what the team has achieved. The players have been putting in a huge effort that has taken them into the Ulster final, in which we will be meeting a very good Tyrone side. This will be a big challenge for us.”

His tactical planning, motivational rhetoric and clever deployment of substitutes have helped to hoist Down, a county that has not won the Ulster title since 1994, onto a new pedestal.