Meath manager to 'keep a close eye' on former Kerry underage star following switch

Devon Burns was goalkeeper for the Kerry minors when they won the Munster title in 2019 and he was the province's U-20 Footballer of the Year in 2022.

Devon Burns in action for Kerry during the football All-Ireland Minor Championship semi-final. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Meath manager Robbie Brennan has promised to 'keep a close eye' on former Kerry underage star Devon Burns after his switch to the Royal County.

Burns was goalkeeper for the Kerry minors when they won the Munster title in 2019 and he was the province's U-20 Footballer of the Year in 2022.

Work as a Garda took the Na Gaeil clubman to the capital where he lined out with Kilmacud Crokes, who were managed by Brennan.

Burns started the 2024 Dublin SFC final for Crokes and featured again in 2025 before recently transferring to top Meath side Ratoath.

Brownstown outfit Ratoath were managed last season by another Kerry man, Paul Galvin, and reached the county final though Galvin has since departed and a replacement from within the club is expected to be confirmed.

Burns had a stint on the Kerry senior panel too and could now come on the radar for a shock Meath call up.

"Devon had contacted me to say he was making the move over to Ratoath," said Brennan, who took the Royals to last year's All-Ireland semi-finals and oversaw a Championship win over Kerry.

"I obviously worked with him in Kilmacud. He's a brilliant 'keeper and he'll be a big advantage to Ratoath no doubt for next season. Obviously he'd have to play for Ratoath before he's even eligible for the county but we'll keep a close eye on him and see how he goes. I have no doubt he's a quality, quality 'keeper and he should go well there for the club."

Billy Hogan edged out Sean Brennan as Meath's first choice goalkeeper in the summer of 2024 and started all 16 competitive games last year, Brennan's first season in charge.

So far in 2026, Finn Moore and Billy Hogan have shared the goalkeeping duties in Meath's O'Byrne Cup games.

The Royals will return to duty on Saturday week against Derry in the National League at Croke Park.

Boss Brennan confirmed that 2025 All-Star nominee Ruairi Kinsella is doubtful after a knock in training. Jack Kinlough (ACL), James Conlon (hamstring) and former captain Ronan Jones (hamstring) were all sidelined at the end of last summer and are still rehabbing.

But 2023 Tailteann Cup final Man of the Match Jack Flynn (pectoral) has returned to fitness. Jack O'Connor is back after a year out also and started the O'Byrne Cup game against Offaly.

Cian McBride's Man of the Match performance for TU Dublin in Tuesday night's Sigerson Cup win over MTU Kerry gives Brennan a strong option at midfield.

But the Meath manager said the timing of the intervarsity championship is troublesome.

"Obviously your training plan is impacted next week because the (Sigerson) lads will be playing either Tuesday or Wednesday, so it is very difficult," said Brennan. "I know every other county is in the same boat.

"It's above my pay grade but it certainly doesn't make sense to have two big competitions like that on at the same time. It's very hard on the players.

"You wonder is it heading down the road where they're on at different dates, or Sigerson is just for non-inter-county players. But certainly it's very difficult at the minute for them to get it all in."

Brennan was speaking at a pre-National League launch organised by Meath GAA. He was in Derry for last night's McKenna Cup game between Derry and Donegal, scouting the opposition ahead of their League opener.

That will be the first of three Division 2 'home' games that Meath will play at Croke Park due to redevelopment work at Pairc Tailteann. It was confirmed this week that contracts have been signed for the construction of a new stand at the Navan venue, costing EUR21m.

"I think it's huge for the county," said Brennan. "A massive amount of work has already gone on in to get it to this point."