Donegal influence on Burgess football development

By Liam Hogan

Donegal native Marty Caulfield has plenty of experience with big ball.

A former senior football panellist with the Ulster champions, his marriage to local girl Heather Barry has paid off dividends for his adopted club and the Burgess manager was delighted with how his team played in Sunday’s Munster Club Junior ‘B’ Football quarter final victory.

“I suppose there was a few cobwebs after the Christmas period since winning the county final,” he said.

“Wolfe Tones started off very strong and it took a while before we got our bearings. Yes, we had at least six early chances to score before we got going. Once we got our first score it kicked off from there.

“It’s January. The field was in very good condition to be honest. We didn’t do too much research into the opposition. We knew they were county intermediate hurling champions last year. Football is not really their strong point, and it would not be ours either.”

Burgess had to line out without key men Donagh Maher and Tony Dunne, but the panel is strong and youthful.

“We had Tony Hogan returning from injury in place of Tony Dunne. Dunne was our main player last year,” Caulfield revealed.

“We have lots of young guns and you can’t beat pace. They do what they are told, and they are very easy to coach. Anything I ask them to do is no problem. They love their hurling as I love my football. It’s a question of doing the simple things well, you know, the solo run, moving fast and good link up play and above all working hard.”

“This is a good start to the year. All teams are going back training and we have the football to get the players fit. We now have to prepare for Kerry champions Beale in two weeks’ time. Any time we face Kerry team you must put on a good show.”