Battling Burke ‘the story of the year’ for Kildare boss Quaid

Ahead of today's Christy Ring Cup final in Croke Park, manager Joe Quaid has branded James Burke's recovery from a serious illness to make it back onto the field as ‘the story of the year’ in Kildare GAA.

Burke was rushed to hospital after contracting meningitis on Easter weekend at the start of April, and there were times that it didn’t look good for the 19-year-old.

A vigil was held in St David’s Church, Naas, by family, friends and clubmates of Burke who prayed for his recovery, and, quite incredibly, it has been quicker than anyone could ever have hoped. It was just eight weeks on from the time that the DCU student contracted the illness to the moment he made his return for the Kildare hurlers against Wicklow in the Christy Ring Cup, and Quaid is delighted to see the talented hurler back to full health.

“It’s the story of the year as far as I’m concerned in Kildare GAA, not just Kildare hurling, that a guy that was on death’s door on Good Friday has played the part that he has in the championship – it’s just a phenomenal story,” Quaid told KildareNow.

“The fact that this guy is able to participate in Croke Park, whether starting or coming on is nothing short of a minor miracle.”

Burke will line out at wing-forward from the start against London, and his role as a ball-winner and free-taker makes him one of the vital cogs in the Kildare wheel.

Burke’s health and wellbeing comes as the number one priority for Quaid and the management team, but being able to call on him is a massive addition for Saturday. He was comfortably Kildare’s top scorer in the league, and when he came into the game against Derry in the semi-final of the Christy Ring Cup, his four points and all-round influence crucial to the win. Despite that, Quaid will be ensuring that Burke’s health is the number one factor, though he also outlines how sport has played a key role in his speedy recovery.

“We’ve been minding him since he said he was able to come back,” remarked Quaid.

“His health has been our number one priority and it will continue to be. We’re happy that we can facilitate his recovery and his end goal of going back to playing the game he loves.

“This is our hobby, life is a lot more important than hurling, football or sport, but sport played a huge part in his recovery. His love for sport and his love for hurling played a huge part in his recovery to get back to full health again.”

Having helped lead the DCU Freshers’ team to All-Ireland glory in March just a week before suffering his illness, Burke could bookend his season beautifully by landing another national title come Saturday. However, just being able to play his part is already impressive enough.