Galway boss hopeful of double Burke boost for Cork semi-final

Micheál Donoghue views Galway's All-Ireland semi-final against Cork, coming off a four-week break following their Leinster final win, as a "massive opportunity"

Galway manager Micheál Donoghue on Rory Burke: "He's been a revelation this year." Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor

Galway senior hurling manager Micheal Donoghue is hoping to have both Daithí Burke and Rory Burke available for this weekend’s All-Ireland semi-final against Cork. The men in maroon and white will aim to reach the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2018.

Daithí Burke picked up a serious knee injury during the first half of the Leinster final. Initially Donoghue and the medical team thought the defender dislocated his knee but the Turloughmore clubman powered on through despite the injury.

“Daithi Burke’s going OK. It was a significant knock for him. We have a really, really good medical team and he's working with them now for the last few weeks and making good progress. It was a significant enough injury, so we just have to see how it goes closer to the time,” said Donoghue.

Rory Burke was also forced off with a hamstring injury during that Leinster decider against Dublin. It was a recurrence of the injury Burke picked up which ruled him out of the final two games of the Leinster round robin against Dublin and Wexford.

“It's been well-documented and highlighted. (Rory Burke) just picked up another hammer injury, so it's just a reoccurrence of it. He's working hard with the medical team, you'd be hoping the four weeks might benefit us. Right now they're just working around the clock to see where we can go with it.

“The issue with it being a reoccurring one, there's always going to be a bit of a risk there with it. He's been a revelation this year. He's been brilliant. First and foremost for him, it's hard on him with it reoccurring. We have a really good medical team and he's really diligent in his work, trying to get back. You can see the enthusiasm and his absolute desire to try and get every ounce of himself and give himself the opportunity,” added Donoghue.

Micheál Donoghue said winning the Leinster title was Galway's number one goal for the year. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

Donoghue’s charges come into this clash on the back of a four week break which marked their first victory in Croke Park since 2020. The Galway manager feels it has given his side time to work on the training pitch.

“The way I view it is it's a massive opportunity. For us, winning Leinster, it gave you the four-week gap and the opportunity to play in the semi-final. It's not lost on us as a management or the group that these opportunities don't come around too often. I said in the aftermath of the Leinster final that was our number one goal with the group, so it was really satisfying to achieve that.

“But in equal measure, you get the opportunity to go straight through the semi. For us, it's getting this group in as many high-pressurised games, if you like, to amass that experience that hopefully will stand them in good stead as they move on in their careers.

“They've had a really good experience in the Leinster final. It's another opportunity to play a big, meaningful knockout game that they can really test themselves in Croke Park, probably a full house. It's something we're really looking forward too,” explained Donoghue.

Cillian Trayers, Cian Daniels, Jason Rabbitte, Aaron Niland, Darragh Neary and Rory Burke have all cemented their places in Galway's starting XV, bringing a welcome energy and freshness to the side this season. Their performances and form has come as no surprise to the Clarinbridge native.

“I won't say surprised. We've seen them right through the ranks in the club level and knowing that they're special talents. For them, it's just amassing experience in big games. For them to play in their first Leinster final and win it, that's going to be massive for them as they move forward over the next couple of years. Equally, for them to recognise the opportunity that is in front of us with the semi-final.

“I think for their experience, it's brilliant to play in a big, big game that has huge consequences. They're really excited by it and their energy levels are incredible and what they're doing for the group. For us, it's all about performance now and to make sure that they're comfortable in our preparation and they can go out and execute what they've been doing all year,” concluded Donoghue.