Wicklow boss Davy Burke calls time on role as football chief

Despite some relatively positive progress at league and less so at championship level Wicklow football manager Davy Burke has decided against seeking an extension to his position after two years in charge.

After gaining promotion from division four in his first season, Burke guided Wicklow to an unexpected win over Ulster champions Cavan in the relegation play-off earlier this year, meaning they retained that division-three status for 2020, while Cavan made the drop.

In the Leinster championship, they were close to Wexford throughout before losing 2-11 to 0-14, a first Leinster SFC win for Wexford since 2014 to set up their quarter-final date with Dublin, which they lost by eight points.

“I would like to thank the group of Wicklow players that I was extremely lucky to have worked with over the past two years,” said Burke, a native of Kildare. “I am very proud of the group and what they have achieved in gaining promotion from division four and retaining division three-status for 2022 in what were very challenging times.

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“I can’t thank my management team of Mike Hassett and Gary Jameson enough for their huge effort and unwavering support over the two years. I would also like to thank our backroom team for their time, commitment and expertise they each brought to our set-up.

“Finally I would like to thank the Wicklow County Board, the Wicklow Clubs and our team sponsor Renault for their invaluable support. Wicklow football is in a very strong position and I look forward to following their continued progress in the coming years.”

He joins the list of managers to make their exit post-championship 2021 which so far includes the likes of Tipperary hurling manager Liam Sheedy, Wexford hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald and Down football manager Paddy Tally.

Meanwhile, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association has confirmed the date and start times for the 2021 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship finals.

All three finals will be held at Croke Park on Sunday, September 5th, six days before the men’s showdown at the same venue and ticketing information will be released early next week.

The junior championship final will have an 11.45am start time, followed by the Intermediate decider at 1.45pm, and the senior final at 4.15pm. The Croke Park triple-header will be shown exclusively live on TG4.

2021 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship Finals

Sunday, September 5th, Croke Park
Junior – Antrim/Carlow v Limerick/Wicklow at 11.45am; Live TG4
Intermediate – Westmeath v Wexford, 1.45pm; Live TG4
Senior – Dublin v Meath, 4.15pm; Live TG4

The two junior semi-finals are down for decision on Saturday and Sunday, along with senior and intermediate relegation play-offs.

Saturday 21st August 2021

TG4, All-Ireland JFC semi-final
Limerick v Wicklow; Tang, Westmeath, 1pm
TG4 All-Ireland SFC – Relegation play-off
Cavan v Tyrone; St Tiernach's Park, Clones, 2pm

Sunday 22nd August 2021

TG4 All-Ireland JFC semi-final
Antrim v Carlow; Lannleire, Dunleer, 1pm