Éamonn Burns

Éamonn Burns (Irish: Éamonn Ó Broin; born 24 January 1972) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Derry in the 1990s and early 2000s. He was part of Derry's 1993 All-Ireland Championship winning side, also winning Ulster Senior Football Championships in 1993 and 1998. Burns still plays club football with St. Colm's GAC Ballinascreen.

He had massive promise at under-age level, winning MacRory Cup, Hogan Cup, Sigerson Cup and an All-Ireland Minor Championship medals by the time he was 21. After 1993, Burns' young promise never materialised into the star that he could have been on the senior inter-county stage.

Personal life

Burns teaches Physical Education at St. Columb's College, Derry, where he is manager of the school Gaelic football teams. His management culminated in the winning of the 2002 MacLarnon Cup, the first and only in the school's history. This was Burns' first major trophy as a manager. He has also steered the senior team to the final of the 2008 MacLarnon Cup. However, the glory was not to be repeated as The College lost out by 2 points to St. Mary's at Healy Park. Burns' Assistant Manager, Brian Trainor rates the loss among one of the worst in the school's history, considering how talented the team was. [ [http://www.derryjournal.com/3422/MacRory-a-bridge-too-far.3893343.jp MacRory a bridge too far College] retrieved March 19, from Derry Journal]

Career

Intercounty

Burns was known as one of Derry's best ever underage players. He was part of the successful Derry Minor team that won the 1989 Ulster Minor Championship and All-Ireland Minor Championships. He also won an Ulster Under-21 Championship medal in 1993.

He missed the most of two seasons through injury after 1991, but was part of Derry's National League winning team in 1992. He was also a member of Derry's 1993 Ulster Championship and 1993 All-Ireland Championship winning side. He came on as a substitute in the All-Ireland final. 1995 and 1996 saw Burns add two further National League medals to his collection. He won a second Ulster Senior medal with Derry in 1998, where they defeated Donegal in the final.

Club

In 1992 and 1996 Burns was the top scorer in the Derry Senior Football Championship with 0-24 (24 points) and 2-24 (30 points) respectively. Despite playing in the 1990, 1992 and 1996 finals, Burns and Ballinascreen never won a Derry Championship in the time he has been playing with them. He stills plays for them.

Burns was in the United States for a short period the early 1990s and while there played with St. Columbkille's GFC, Boston. He along with fellow Derry man Dermot McNicholl helped the club win a Boston Senior Football Championship in 1991. [cite web|url=http://www.bostongaa.com/History.htm|title= A Brief History of “The Killes”|accessdate=2008-01-21] .

School/college

Burns attended school at St. Pat's Maghera. With the school he won two consecutive MacRory and Hogan Cups with the school in 1989 and 1990.

Soccer

Burns currently plays soccer for Draperstown Celtic, the team he would have grown up supporting and in the 2007/08 season scored the goal that ultimately won the club the Northern Ireland Intermediate League title for their first ever time. His career to date has seen him play for numerous Irish League teams, including Limavady United and the now defunct, Omagh Town.

Honours as player

County

*All-Ireland Senior Football Championship - Winner (1): 1993
*National Football League - Winner (3/4?): 1992, 1995, 1996, 2000??
*Ulster Senior Football Championship - Winner (2): 1993, 1998
*Ulster Senior Football Championship - Runner up: 2000
*Dr. McKenna Cup - Winner (2): 1993, 1999
*Ulster Under-21 Football Championship - Winner (1): 1993
*All-Ireland Minor Football Championship - Winner (1): 1989
*Ulster Minor Football Championship - Winner (1/2?): 1989, 1990??

Club

*Derry Senior Football Championship - Runner-up: 1990, 1992, 1994
*Boston Senior Football Championship - Winner (1): 1991
*Underage awards

College

*Sigerson Cup - Winner (?): Years?
*Hogan Cup - Winner (2): 1989, 1990
*MacRory Cup - Winner (2): 1989, 1990

Honours as coach

Schools

:St. Columb's College
*MacLarnon Cup - Winner (1): 2002
*MacLarnon Cup - Runner up (1): 2008

Note: The above lists may be incomplete. Please add any other honours you know of.

References

External links

* [http://www.ballinascreengac.net St Colm's GAC Ballinascreen Website]
* [http://derry.gaa.ie/ Official Derry GAA Website]