“That’s the first one,” said Shamrock Rovers top scorer Graham Burke of his header, which gave his side a 1-1 draw against high-flying Waterford at the Tallaght Stadium. That far post finish was Burke’s tenth of the season. He sets himself specific
“That’s the first one,” said Shamrock Rovers top scorer Graham Burke of his header, which gave his side a 1-1 draw against high-flying Waterford at the Tallaght Stadium.
That far post finish was Burke’s tenth of the season. He sets himself specific objectives but doesn’t share them. “You go into every season with a target, but I keep those things to myself.”
The former Aston Villa man pinpointed a half-time pep talk from the gaffer and a tactical change as the reasons behind the Hoops’ second half revitalisation after a poor first half, which Alan Reynolds men dominated. Stephen told us, “There’s much more in us.”
“Dan held the ball up. He was brilliant for us,” said Burke of Dan Carr, who replaced Gary Shaw in the lone striker’s role.”
“(A change to) two wingers and two full backs, it suited us in that game. Playing against their formation, that suited us much better
Burke also credits Carr for the assist. “Dan did brilliant. The whole goal is down to him. I just had to keep my eye on it and make sure I made the right contact with it.”
Burke was perplexed with Rovers first half performance. “I can't put my finger on it. I don't know what went wrong in the first half - it (the ball) was just around our box. We couldn't get it forward. First half wasn't us. It's miles apart.”
Graham felt Rovers might just have nicked it, in the end. “We came out (after half time) a completely different team. We tried to push on and get the winner, but it just didn't come.”
“I found out on Thursday when the squad was announced,” said the Rovers star of the call to international duty from Irish manager Martin O’Neill. “I can’t put into words how proud I am. It's an unbelievable achievement for myself and the family.
Burke recognises the tribute his selection pays to the domestic league. “If you do your stuff in the pitch it's possible to get a call up. I can't wait for it. It's a brilliant opportunity”
Looking ahead to next week’s clash with Sligo Rovers, Burke insisted, “We have get wins and start putting three points on the board.
