Former Dundalk defender Liam Burns is thoroughly enjoying his role as Dundalk Under 17’s head coach and he is recalling his days as a hard-working defender to lead his young team. Reflecting on the season so far, Burns stated: “I have been really im
Former Dundalk defender Liam Burns is thoroughly enjoying his role as Dundalk Under 17’s head coach and he is recalling his days as a hard-working defender to lead his young team.
Reflecting on the season so far, Burns stated: “I have been really impressed with the team, especially their attitude and commitment. I have a lot of players born in 2001 so hopefully I will have them again next year, which means I have a more of a time period to coach with them and you can see that development compared to an older guy who you may only have for six months.
“Where we are at the moment is very pleasing. The team development is fantastic but more importantly the individual development is great and what we are about at Dundalk is that we want to win...but we are more focused on individual development and progression.”
Having Stephen Kenny and the first team training at Oriel Park means the ethos of success and development rubs off on Burns' young players and has a positive affect.
“When the 17’s and 19’s are training, the first team can be there too and it gives them a glimpse of what they are up to, but it's important to note that what Stephen (Kenny) and the players have brought to the club is hard work and dedication," said Burns.
"And that's what I try to install in the 17’s...that you may have the ability but you must have the work ethic to match it. It goes down the ranks that if you don't have that dedication to work hard and play for Dundalk your ability wont make up for it.
“Right through the club we have that work ethic, commitment and dedication to progress as much as we can.”
Burns had a long standing career spanning from 1997-2012, where he finished up at Dundalk, and he stresses that his experience and lessons as a player are reflected in his team training.
“I am not going to stand here and say I was the best player in the team but one thing I always tried to do is make myself the hardest working player in the team,” said the Belfast man.
“If you look through my career I have always tried to do that and when I started coaching here in 2012 I always told the boys to be as fit as they can and be as dedicated and if it doesn't work out as least you can look at yourself in the mirror and say I tried my best but it just wasn’t for me."
So far his experience is paying off as Dundalk continue to chase St Patrick's Athletic at the top of the Northern Elite Division.
