Ryan Burke eyes strong end to ‘really positive’ season for Waterford

Ryan Burke at EA Sports Launch of FC 25

Ryan Burke at EA Sports Launch of FC 25 Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Waterford defender Ryan Burke believes that the Blues still have plenty to play for between now and the end of the season. 

Burke, 23, has established himself as a mainstay at the RSC after joining the club at the start of the 2023 campaign. 

The Dubliner has already won promotion with the club from the First Division and now has his eyes on an unlikely European berth. 

Keith Long’s side are currently fourth and just two points behind third-placed Shamrock Rovers. Depending on who wins the FAI Cup, fourth might be enough for Europe next season. 

“It's been a really positive season for us,” Burke told extratime.com at the launch of EA FC 25. “There's still a lot to play for right now with six games to go. 

“There’s so much to play for in every game and we’ll go to Richmond on Friday and hopefully get a result on Friday.

“I've really enjoyed my time in Waterford. We were in the First Division last year and it was tough with Galway. They were so good and we were playing catch up with them all season but this season has just been really positive. 

“The promotion game against Cork was one of the highlights of my career so far. It was just unbelievable. We set out to get promoted at the start of the season. 

“We were looking to win the league and go up like that but we had to go through the play offs and we got it done.”

Promotion last season was a nice reward for Burke who returned home from England having featured at underage level with Birmingham City as a youth.



He was also on the books of Mansfield Town before joining Bohemians initially in Ireland prior to his switch to the RSC. 

“It's tough coming home but it's an option,” he said. “The league is on the up and it's a really good place right now. It's tough coming back from England obviously just finishing the season and joining midway through the League of Ireland season. 

“I found getting up to speed a bit difficult but it's all good now.

“It's been really good this season. I started the season well, faded out a little bit and then I'm back now, but I'm doing well again, so I'm pleased with how it's gone.”

Waterford face St Pat’s on Friday night in a vital clash in the race for European football.

But Burke also knows the Saints are not a million miles away from coming fourth themselves.



“Pat’s are not too far off and they are able to get a few results,” he said. “I think if anyone in the league goes on a little run now, they'd be in it. Rovers seem to be kicking into form at the right time this season as well. It's going to be an interesting one.”

Win For The Club as EA SPORTS FC announces the return of the League of Ireland to FC 25! Featuring the individual club crest of all 10 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division teams, these exclusive sleeves will be available to download free from https://www.ea.com/fc25 when the game launches worldwide Friday, September 27th! 

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