Marty Coyle guides Burt to promotion at the first time of asking

Burt have secured promotion to Division 2 with two games to spare after a convincing 13-point win over Urris on Sunday, continuing their unbeaten run in Division 3. The result made it nine wins from nine for Marty Coyle’s side, who now sit on 18 points and have a head-to-head advantage of third-placed Naomh Bríd.Coyle, who cut his coaching teeth in Buncrana, has guided Burt to promotion and the Division 3 league final at the first time of asking and paid tribute to his players and their application on and off the pitch.
“Urris had the breeze in the first half and got a couple of two pointers,” he said of Sunday's 4-17 to 2-10 win. “And they’ve a few big men, so when the ball dropped in around the square they were dangerous.”

Burt’s attacking form has been a hallmark of their campaign to date and Sunday’s scoreline once again demonstrated their ability in front of the posts.
“We’re working a lot in training on the scoring zones, on getting boys into those areas and then having the composure on the ball to make a good shot selection,” Coyle explained. “We're asking them to be patient and to work the opportunity. The lads are buying into it and training is going well.
“The way the game has gone, whenever you do get the ball up the pitch it’s very important that the decision-making is good because if you’re turned over, there’s a lot of back pedalling needed to get set in defence.”
Coyle also hailed the impact of the club’s younger players, many of whom have stepped up to adult football this season and added a vital spark.
“There’s a lot of young boys that have come into the squad and have brought in a lot of energy. There’s been a lot of good work done in Burt at under-age, minor and U21. There’s a good conveyor belt with players coming through, and they’re bringing a lot of energy and pace. And pace is more important than ever in the game now.”
Having identified promotion as the main target at the start of the year, Coyle said hitting that mark with games to spare has given them some flexibility ahead of the championship.
“That was number one - getting out of Division 3 and getting up to a different level of football. That was one of the goals, and we’re delighted that it’s been achieved,” he said.
“We have two games left, and with the pressure not being on we can try different things out. We have a lot of competition for places in the squad, men pushing to get into the starting team. We can start working on other stuff and getting ready for the championship.”

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Coyle also pointed to positive signs in the wider panel and reserve squad.
“There’s a lot of footballers in this club, and a lot of real good footballers too. It’s been a matter of getting the senior group together and getting them to buy into what we’re trying to do. And when you have a group buying in, it’s a really good place to be.”
Originally from Burnfoot, Coyle previously coached underage sides in neighbouring Buncrana, and he said returning to his home patch with Burt has been an enjoyable experience.
“On the first night I met the players, I was glad to be able to tell them that I grew up in Burnfoot, and went to the same school in Bridgend that a lot of them went to,” he said.
“Travels took me to New York and different places, and when I came back I was living in Buncrana and got involved there. I took an under-age team from the bottom up to minor, and there’s a lot of quality in Buncrana too.
“It’s been great, a nice change for me to come into Burt and nice to come up to your home patch.
“It’s been refreshing and enjoyable to be back involved in coaching a team.
“The players have been great, very welcoming and open to me. Training has been going well, and I really am enjoying it. We're keeping everything positive, and that's not so hard to do around here because the boys’ attitude is good.”
Burt now have a league final against Red Hugh’s and a championship campaign around the corner. Coyle and his team are looking forward to seeing what the summer holds.