Burke to miss Dundalk game due to international commitments

Shamrock Rovers’ Graham Burke will miss Friday’s SSE Airtricity League fixture against Dundalk due to being on Republic of Ireland duty.

Burke made his international debut in the Stade de France last Monday night and looks set to pick up a second cap on Saturday when Ireland take on the United States in the Aviva Stadium.

Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley confirmed on the eve of his side’s league clash with Dundalk at Tallaght Stadium that Burke would not be available for selection. 

“He'll miss our game on Friday,” said Bradley speaking to shamrockrovers.ie. “You're obviously gutted to be missing him for a big game for us but he's worked so hard. He's produced for us and now he's getting his just rewards for playing for Ireland.” 

Burke spoke to the media in Abbotstown on Thursday after Ireland training.“I kind of knew yesterday that I wasn’t going to play in the (Dundalk) game. I don’t know if that’s anything to do with Saturday. Martin hasn’t said anything to me. I’m focusing on training and just enjoying being here with the team.”

Burke had juggled both his domestic and international duties in recent weeks having played in three games in four days – against Sligo, a Celtic XI and then Pat’s before playing Bohs last Friday night.

“I needed to play the games for Rovers so the situation was that I was going to play Sligo, go to Celtic, then come back and play Bohs. In the meantime, I was going to be in with the Ireland set-up, but it was fine.

“Obviously, we’re still in season. I need to play the games for my club but to get the opportunity to do this it is just about balancing the two and I think it has worked out well.”

Ireland captain Seamus Coleman outlined how Burke has impressed at training. “He has been very composed and relaxed about the place. It helps that he is a very good player, technically very good and hasn’t looked out of place. 

“It was great to see him come on (against France)," said Coleman. "It was great for the league. Hopefully he will get to play on Saturday and show his stuff in front of the home crowd as he is very talented.”

Burke will be missed by Rovers on Friday. The 24-year-old attacker scored on his Rovers debut against the Lilywhites last season. This year he has ten goals in the 20 league games the Hoops have played. 

Having become the first League of Ireland player to be capped for Ireland in over a decade, Stephen Bradley made it clear he wasn’t about to prevent Burke from getting another run out with Ireland.

“He's playing for his country so it's something that we fully support and would never try and change it,” said Bradley. “It's a fantastic achievement for him and it's great for the club and the league that you have a player that comes on in the Stade de France on Monday and is an Ireland international. 

“The higher the level Graham plays at the better he'll be because of the type of player he is. He has the ability to play at the highest level and I think he showed that this week that he didn't look out of place.”

"He's technically very good. He's been very comfortable, hasn't looked out of place."

- @FAIreland captain Seamus Coleman paid tribute to @ShamrockRovers man Graham Burke earlier today.#COYBIGpic.twitter.com/jAYQZ1J324

— eir Sport (@eirSport) May 31, 2018