Hurling & Camogie

Hurler of the Year Paddy Burke: ‘Davy Fitz creating a real buzz around Antrim hurling’

Irish News Ulster All-Star and Hurler of the Year Paddy Burke was instrumental for Antrim this year and is looking forward to next year’s push for silver

Hurler of the Year Paddy Burke accepting his award
Hurler of the Year Paddy Burke at The Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2024 at the ICC Belfast. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. (Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye/Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye )
By Liam Grimley

DESPITE a less-than-outstanding season in terms of the end product for Antrim hurling, the Saffrons remain optimistic ahead of next year, says Hurler of the Year Paddy Burke.

Burke played a crucial part in keeping Antrim amongst the big boys for another season at least, especially in the two victories the Glensmen managed against Wexford and Carlow.

Cushendall's Paddy Burke cut a relieved figure after Sunday's dramatic Ulster semi-final victory over Down champions Portaferry. Picture by Seamus Loughran
Cushendall's Paddy Burke cut a relieved figure after last year's dramatic Ulster semi-final victory over Down champions Portaferry. Picture by Seamus Loughran

The Cushendall clubman also won an Irish News All-Star at corner-back with Antrim teammates Rory McCloskey and Gerard Walsh filling out the full-backs in the caman code selection.

For one clubmate and former county captain, namely Neil McManus, this award is overdue as the 2023 Irish News Hurler of the Year actually said that Burke deserved the award in his place 12 months ago.

“It was nice for Neil to say that last year but I’d say that he was just deflecting from himself,” said the 2023 Antrim and Ulster Club SHC champion.

“It’s nice recognition and it was a great night to get everyone together from all four codes so it is a privilege to get the award.”

Antrim V Carlow at Corrigan Park
Antrim won against Carlow in what was affectively a Leinster SHC relegation play-off, with Conal Cunning scoring a goal at Corrigan Park during the game. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN

After a rough year for Antrim, they managed to keep their Liam McCarthy status in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship for another year and remain at Division 1B level in the Allianz Hurling League.

“There’s a really good group of players there and there’s a stark difference from when I first came on the panel about 10 years ago, them first four or five years you were always punching and trying and trying to get up,” said the experienced defender.

“For the last five years, I’ve been very privileged to be part of this group and actually compete at the top level, playing those teams week-in, week-out, and on a personal level, getting to mark the best players in the country and getting to play against them and see where you’re at.”

In his acceptance speech last year, McManus said that Burke would ‘walk into any defence in the country’, which is high praise indeed from one of Antrim’s best attackers of recent times.

A man wearing an Antrim jacket and holding an umbrella
New Antrim boss Davy Fitzgerald was spotted in Ballymena watching Cushendall defeat St John's. Picture: Mark Marlow

Burke and Antrim have a mountain to climb next year, not only after the All-Ireland semi-finals and final showed just how competitive the sport is at the moment, but now that they have the spotlight on them with one of hurling’s biggest names, Davy Fitzgerald, now taking the reigns.

The Cushendall man said: “It is an exciting time to be an Antrim hurler, obviously the progress we have made the last couple of years has been brilliant but how could there not be excitement around Davy being appointed?

“There’s a really good around Antrim hurling with him being appointed so it’s an exciting time, hopefully we can kick on another level with Davy as the manager over the next couple of years.