Burt finally break free of the relegation cycle

For eight years, the destination at the end of Burt’s championship campaign had been the same: the relegation play-offs.

On Saturday night, at Hibernian Park, that cycle was finally broken - and Burt did so in a manner that would have meant a great deal to their former chairman Gerard Callaghan, who sadly passed away earlier that day. His memory was honoured by the club before the game, and the players paid their own tribute by going out and earning a championship victory.

Burt’s victory over Red Hughs not only secured their place in the Intermediate championship quarter-finals, it also marked a change in the fortunes of a club that has spent much of the past decade looking anxiously at the relegation trapdoor.

The last time Burt reached a championship knockout game was back in 2017, when they were beaten by St Michael’s in the Senior quarter-final. Relegation followed in 2018 and, since returning to Intermediate football, the club had found itself involved in the relegation battle every year.

Now, for the first time in nine years, they can look upwards.

There was no great flourish to accompany this breakthrough of sorts. Burt simply did what was required, built an early lead, absorbed Red Hughs’ attempts to fight their way back into contention and managed the closing stages to secure a deserved win.

“We had the perfect start, and you might say we got two fortuitous goals,” team captain Sean McHugh said afterwards. “But we held that cushion for the most part. The closest they got was back to was three points, so it was mostly about preventing them from getting back level.

“Then, the black cards came and we kept extending the lead out.

“It wasn't a perfect performance by any stretch of the imagination, but it was just about seeing the result out.

“But at this stage of the championship, it was just about getting the win and getting into a quarter-final.”

That pragmatism says as much about Burt’s journey as the result itself.

McHugh was part of the Burt side that won the Intermediate title in 2016, before getting a taste of the senior championship, relegation from that and the years of trying to preserve their Intermediate status.

“Ah, it's relief more than anything, it's been nine years of hurt. I'm nearly embarrassed to say it, but the last time we got to a quarter final was 2017, in the Senior championship.

“There's obviously been a big turnover of players in the years since. Yes, we were relegated from the Senior, but we did well to stay in the Intermediate all those years because it was eight years in a row of relegation play-offs.”

McHugh was speaking before the quarter-final line-up was known. They'll face Naomh Muire in the quarter-final this weekend, a team they're familiar with having defeated them at Hibernian Park in round two.

“The main thing is we have retained Intermediate status for another year and we have a free hit in the quarters,” he said. “That's unknown territory for this squad, and it feels a wee bit like the pressure is off. We don't really care who we get, we'll just give it a go.”

There was understandable tension in the closing stages, with Burt having to manage a game situation that has been unfamiliar territory for much of this squad.

“Aye, that was probably a bit of inexperience - we haven't been in that position in a long time. Even us older boys have to learn how to deal with those situations. Usually, we're trying to catch teams rather than holding onto a lead.”

Ultimately, however, Burt never allowed Red Hughs to turn that tension into a genuine threat.

“We got 2-10, but we probably left a few scores behind us too. Anytime we did penetrate, we mostly got a score.

“But the main thing was we kept them at arms length and I felt we were comfortable enough in the second half.”

The significance of the result is heightened by what Burt have already achieved in the league. Having won promotion from Division 3 last year, they have retained their Division 2 status this season. With that target secured and a championship quarter-final now guaranteed, the objectives set at the beginning of the campaign have been met.

But there is little appetite for treating the quarter-final as an added bonus. McHugh and his teammates will relish what he calls a 'free hit'.

“Make no bones about it, those were our targets at the outset and we've ticked those two boxes.

“The beauty of it is we're still in the championship and we'll give that a rattle next weekend.”

There is also reason for optimism in the shape of Burt’s squad. McHugh pointed to their relatively clean bill of health at the onset of knockout football.

“The main thing for us is that, other than Kieran Brady, we have no injuries. We've kept a clean bill of health and any team that does that is usually in a good spot.

“It's been four tough games in a row, but thankfully this year we haven't been badly affected by injury.

“We made five subs there today, and there's probably a few boys disappointed too at not getting on.

“That's not the way it usually is for us, we're usually working off a limited panel.

“We’re in the last eight, so there are going to be some tough teams.

“Bring it on.”