Burke: it’s time for all to pull together

IT is a measure of the respect and affection with which show jumper Marie Burke is held that, following her surprise axing by manager Robert Splaine from the European Championships team in Mannheim last month, she was the subject of much condolence.

She is a genuine, uncomplicated person, who rather than dabble in the politics and current public discussion of show jumping team selection, prefers to remain anonymous. She is perceived, rightly, as someone who prefers to do her talking on the field of play.

Burke came under sustained pressure to air her grievances following Mannheim — including an invite to appear on RTÉ Radio One with Marian Finucane — but declined all offers.