PRESTON NORTH END’S latest recruit from the League of Ireland Graham Burke hopes he can follow in the footsteps of his Ireland teammate Sean Maguire at the club.
The 24-year-old recently made the move to Deepdale from Shamrock Rovers, linking up for his first day of pre-season training last week, and is aiming to have a similar impact to that of former Cork City striker Maguire.
He hit nine goals in 17 Championship appearances in his first season with the club, and Burke is eyeing similar success as he joins the Lilywhites.
“Sean Maguire has shown what can be done when moving here,” he told the Lancashire Post.
“It’s brilliant that he scored goals last season. He had the injury but scored goals either side of it.”
Burke added of his own preferred position: “The role that I feel most comfortable in is the one I played at Shamrock Rovers, playing off the front man.
“I can play other positions but it’s that number 10 role I have done well in.”
This comes as the Dubliners’ second chance to forge a successful career in England after he spent four years at Aston Villa before returning to Ireland in 2017.
While at Rovers, he was a standout star and was handed his first Ireland cap against France in May.
He followed that up with a first senior international goal in the 2-1 win over USA at the Aviva Stadium, becoming the first League of Ireland player to score for the Boys in Green in 40 years.
The move across the water comes as a welcome change, he says.
“I had a brilliant time at Shamrock Rovers, they gave me a chance after I came back from England. The dedication of their coaching staff helped with my development and have got me to where I am at the moment.
“Now I start a new chapter here, it’s exciting times.
“The gaffer has just told me to work hard, do my best and everything will go from there.
“I’m in the fortunate position here of knowing the lads who used to play in the League of Ireland, while I played with Callum Robinson and Daniel Johnson during my time as Aston Villa.
“So it was nice to have familiar faces in the dressing room when I came in.”
He added, of coming in midway through the Irish season in which he scored 13 goals:
“I feel fit and good coming here off the back of the season in Ireland. I’m fully fit and sharp so that should help me – it will help me get through pre-season.
“Pre-season is always tough, no matter what the circumstances, but hopefully it will be slightly easier with having been playing games.”
Cobh Ramblers recently announced that they’ll face Preston in a friendly at St Colman’s Park on 17 July, with a host of Irish internationals returning to home soil for the fixture.
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The two lads should have just stayed in Ireland, I’m sure Cork and rovers fans would agree. We need to keep the best players in the league it’s the only way to build the league and national team. It’s certainly not sending them to a bum club in England while the waste their careers sitting in the stands
@Barry Zuckerkorn: or they could go on to have really successful careers make a pile of money , potentially play in the premiership, a childhood dream for most return in their twilight years and give back a little then. You can’t blame the lads for going over on 2-4 year solid contract instead of a nine month deal in Ireland.
@Hardly Normal: with no real guarantee the club you’re playing with will even exist the following season …
@Hardly Normal: you clearly don’t really follow the league to closely, if you did you would have seen that Dundalk & Cork have been giving out 2 and 3 year contracts to the players. In fact Dundalk resigned Patrick McEleney and signed Georgie Kelly both on 3 and a half year deals so please gets your facts right
@Hardly Normal: doesn’t even reply says it all really. No go follow an English team and leave the football to the real Irish football fans not clowns who dip in and out
@Barry Zuckerkorn: @Barry Zuckerkorn: forgive my slow response , I’m in Australia so the whole time difference thing is my excuse. Am I imagining all the troubles clubs are having financially? Wasn’t it only 10 years ago City and Dundalk were on their knees begging the local communities for money to stay afloat due to inflated contracts etc? Conor Clifford left Limerick today because of money issues. Where’s the sense in staying when the riches and experience gained abroad is invaluable to the individuals.
@Barry Zuckerkorn: I’ve been going to city games since I was a kid , not a fair weather supporter you’re talking too.
@Hardly Normal: if you are a real supporter of City and your country then you would understand where I’m coming from, the league in Ireland is starting to get a lot stronger, there are some club’s in difficulties but that is more to do with the lack of guidance and financial support from the FAI and the lack of support from the local fans. Peak 6 the investors in Dundalk also are planning on helping to improve the league as a whole and have already starting talking to other clubs in Ireland to come up with ways to promote the league, which is more than the FAI has ever done. So maybe the players should wait and see what is going to happen instead of listening to their money hungry agents
Hopefully himself and Seanie hit it off and start banging I’m the goals internationally.
@Hardly Normal: *in
@Hardly Normal: Hardly
@Hardly Normal: sitting on the bench in England won’t make you a better player
@Barry Zuckerkorn: he hasn’t been there a week will you cop onto yourself ..
@Hardly Normal: we will see, chances are he will achieve nothing, English players always get the nod over Irish players in England doesn’t matter if your more talented, sure look at Horgan never gets a kick for Preston and he was the best players in the LOI for the last 20 years, and McGuire doesn’t start every game even though he’s clearly there best striker.
@Barry Zuckerkorn: haven’t they both had serious injuries and only recently worked their way back to full health? You’re talking through your backside mate!