A former Northern Ireland underage winger who is in the process of declaring for the Republic is being tipped to light up the League of Ireland this season.
Darragh Burns scored a sensational opener for St Pat’s in Friday’s 3-0 win over Damien Duff’s Shelbourne, confidently bending the ball into the top corner from 25-yards.
A Dubliner living in Meath with a father from Belfast, Burns represented Northern Ireland at both U19 and U17 level but is in the process of switching to the Republic.
Scottish side Hibs and League One clubs were keen on signing the 19-year-old who starred for Saints last season, playing a leading role in their march to FAI Cup success and a second-placed league finish.
But St Pat’s rejected what they felt were a number of derisory offers for the talented winger who played alongside the likes of Trai Hume and Chris McKee with Northern Ireland U19s.
And Saints boss Tim Clancy feels Burns, who helped spoil Duff’s managerial bow at a packed Tolka Park, has all the tools to become one of the most exciting talents in Ireland.
“Every kid, and especially Darragh, just wants to play football,” said Clancy.
“There can be noise around the place and we saw it with James Abankwah going to Udinese and getting a good deal.
“Hopefully the days are gone where the best young players are going for next to nothing.
“Darragh showed on Friday why clubs were interested in him and I think he’s going to improve again and have a very good season and a very good career in the game.
“We knew the first-half of the Shels game would be very tight but Darragh produced a worldie.
“It was a bit of quality that you can’t really coach and you’re lucky to have that in your team.”
St Pat’s were clinical at a packed Tolka Park with Burns, Mark Doyle and Jay McClelland putting Duff’s men to the sword.
Duff was relieved to get his first competitive game as a manager out of the way and claimed that he hates the attention and that rival bosses were welcome to it instead.
But Clancy said: “With the greatest of respect, I didn’t mind playing second fiddle to Damien Duff when you look at the career he’s had.
“His appointment is something that has probably made the league exciting this year. He’s an absolute legend in Irish football.
“But Friday night was about the players on the pitch which is the most important thing and we’ve shown that we have players there that are very capable.”
