Tributes paid to former Down GAA star Eamonn Burns

Tributes paid to former Down GAA star Eamonn Burns

16 October 2019

GLOWING tributes have been paid to former Down GAA player and manager Eamonn Burns who died suddenly last week.

Hundreds of mourners turned out last Saturday to pay their final respects to the GAA star who was revered by everyone who knew him.

A teacher at Shimna Integrated College where he was held in high esteem, Mr Burns (56) helped Down win two All Ireland titles in 1991 and 1994 and managed the team for three years before stepping down last summer.

The father-of-two — who died following a heart attack — was buried at St Patrick’s Cemetery in Bryansford following a service of Requiem Mass in the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Newcastle.

Local GAA teams lined the route as Mr Burns’ remains were taken from his brother Colm’s house for Requiem Mass, while Shimna students formed a guard of honour at the church.

Among the many tributes to Mr Burns was one from GAA president John Horan who said he had left “a great legacy in the game”.

He added: “On and off the field Eamonn was a great ambassador for our association and we join our Mourne County colleagues and Gaels in lamenting his loss.”

Mr Horan said that it was with great sadness that he learnt of Mr Burns’ passing and that it was only a few weeks ago at the jubilee dinner on All-Ireland football final day that he had the pleasure of meeting Eamonn and his colleagues as they saluted the 25th anniversary of the great ‘94 Down team.

He continued: “The special bond between the group was very evident and Eamonn was a big part of that. Not content with being a part of an iconic Down team, Eamonn was a man who was committed to giving back.

“His club in Bryansford benefited and in more recent times he was prepared to put himself forward to take charge of the county team for three years and pass on his knowledge to a new generation of Down players.

“On and off the field he was a great ambassador for our Association and we join our Mourne County colleagues and Gaels in lamenting his loss.”

Tributes have also been paid by former Down GAA legend Paddy ‘Mo’ Doherty who referred to the late Eamonn Burns as “a true legend because of the person he was”.

Doherty said: “What very, very few people know is that in the build-up to one of the All-Ireland finals — I won’t say which one — Eamonn was quietly nursing an injury. But such was his passion for Down that there was no way he was going to miss the game.

“For me, that said much about the man he was. He ran the risk of maybe breaking down but through sheer willpower, courage and strength of character he came out triumphant.”

Doherty, one of the true GAA legends, said Eamonn Burns was never one to look for sympathy or seek comfort. 

“He stood on his own two feet and took what came at him. And when the going got tough he was always in there doing his bit for the cause. When you have a man like Eamonn in your corner, how could you fail to come out on top?” he continued.

Paddy Mo added: “Eamonn was a legend. Not just because he was a whole-hearted player who gave everything for the cause at club and county levels, but because he was as honest as the day is long.

“He was a wonderful ambassador for our Association, honourable, dignified and respectful. In my book he was a true legend because of the person that he was. He has left a rich legacy both in a playing context and in the way he carried himself. His memory will linger on.”

Another colleague of the double All-Ireland winner, Conor Deegan, said he was left “numb and devastated” when he learnt of Eamonn’s passing.

He added: “We are absolutely destroyed. Only a few weeks ago we were together at Croke Park. He took on the county job when it was not fashionable but nothing was ever about Eamonn; there was just no ego with him. He just cared about the county. It’s hard to believe that we will never see him again.”

Bryansford GAC — the Down man’s home club —  which flew its flags at half mast following his passing — described Eamonn as “a true legend of both club and county” while Down GAA described him as “true son of Down”. 

They said: “Eamonn has been taken from us too soon, we will miss you Eamonn but we will smile in the memory of the days that you gave us.”

Last Sunday, Eamonn Burns’ sons Cathal and Thomas led the Down 1994 team onto pitch in memory of father ahead of senior football final between Warrenpoint and Kilcoo at Pairc Esler, Newry. The poignant moment the day after the Down GAA man’s funeral took place before throw-in on Sunday with rapturous applause for the boys and the Down team.

In addition to his sons, Mr Burns is survived by his wife Sinead, brothers Colm and Malachy, sister Mary and family circle.