Stephen Bradley hails ‘brilliant’ Graham Burke

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He may have stormed off the pitch after his withdrawal from Shamrock Rovers’ 1-0 win over Dundalk on Friday night – but Graham Burke’s importance to the Hoops is beyond question.

That is at least according to his boss Stephen Bradley.

A frustrated Burke was replaced by Johnny Kenny in the 71st minute of the win over the Lilywhites before being seen kicking a bottle in anger and thundering down the tunnel. 

But he returned to the dug-out just moments later - as he so often does.

“He just wants to play every minute of every game and he will be the first to put his hand up and say that he overreacted,” Bradley said when asked about Burke’s reaction to being substituted. 

“It is part of what makes him brilliant – that hunger and desire to want to play.

“I just felt that they were opening up the play and their full-backs were becoming wider and wider.

“We knew with Johnny (Kenny’s) pace that we could cause them problems. Graham’s game is a bit different and when you take him out you lose a bit of control but that’s why.

“When you manage the loads and when it’s Graham’s turn to be taken out of training there is murder… He’d come back into the dressing room and talk – but he 100% gets it that it is about the team. When he is on the bench he is brilliant talking to the players.

“But if that was on Monday and he is taken out of – you just stay out of his way because he is a disaster!



“But that’s Graham and he plays on the edge. Off the pitch he is the calmest fella but he has hunger and desire to play…”

Since joining Rovers initially in 2017 the Dubliner has played a key role in the Hoops’ rise and has played for the Hoops with distinction.

And understanding how he works is key to unlocking his potential according to Bradley.

“We all know him and understand him – so we are not going to gain anything if we are going to try and change him,” he explained.

“He is one of the best players in the country and a brilliant teammate. We just have to give him that 30 seconds to be Graham and then he will come back with a smile.”

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