By Gerry McLaughlin

BURT are hoping to bounce back after their 2-22 to 3-11 defeat to old rivals Setanta.

It looked good for Burt against a weakened Setanta – if there is such a thing – when they led by 3-7 to 0-10 after 24 minutes into the game.

But they could only score four more points in a flat second half as the home side showed all their experience to grind out a result and book their place in the county final.

Affable veteran Ronan McDermott scored one of the goals and did not sugarcoat anything when he said that Burt’s play in the second half was not acceptable.

“We know ourselves as players that we did not perform in the second half against Setanta and we are looking to put that right on Friday night,” he said.

McDermott picked up a niggly hamstring injury in training and even though he hit the net against Setanta he did not look fully fit. But he saluted a fine Setanta second half comeback.

“Yeah, they came back well,” McDermott said. “We had a good first half, but they tightened up well in the second half.

“I was surprised that the game was in the Cross as I thought it was meant to be a neutral venue- but Setanta were worthy winners.

“They don’t miss too many frees there and Gerry Gilmore was deadly accurate.”

But it is do or die for Burt and St Eunan’s as they meet on Friday night in Hibernian Park.

“This is like a county semi-final and it is the first real knock out game of the year and we are looking forward to it.

“We are at home, but Eunan’s are well used to playing in Burt and we drew with them in the league.”

Burt haven’t taken a county title since 2018- a real famine for
a proud hurling clib who have more county titles than any other club.

“It is a long time, and we would love to win it but we are not looking past St Eunan’s as that will be a real battle.

“We know St Eunan’s are a real dogged team and will be hard to beat.

“They have a good sprinkling of county players and have a good mix and it could be a cracker.”