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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Mark McCadden

Former St Pat's man Burns keeping feet firmly on ground after breakthrough display

Darragh Burns says he’s not getting too carried away despite his sensational performance against Watford on Tuesday night.

The Ireland underage international came up with an assist and a goal on just his second start for the League One side, as they earned a shock League Cup win at Vicarage Road.

Burns signed earlier in the summer from St Patrick’s Athletic and he said: “I’m delighted to be here and delighted with the result.

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“Goal and an assist. A good night’s work but can’t get too carried away.

“Big well done to all the lads. Dawson (Devoy) passed me the ball (for the goal) so he got an assist. Obviously another Irish lad so it was good.

“And I set-up Mattie so it was a good night’s work.

“I had my Ma, little sister and a few mates in the crowd so it was a good night for me.”

But it wasn’t without a few bumps and bruises.

“I got a dead leg, my legs are in bits here. But it’s part of the game. I’d have taken that if you offered me it before the game. Job done and onto Saturday,” he said.

Burns (20) admitted it was a challenge to leave St Pat’s last month, but added that he felt it was necessary in order to progress his career.

“I was playing in Ireland, the club wasn’t too far away from my house,” said the €180,000 signing.

“I was comfortable back home but it was a challenge coming over here. If you’re serious about football as an Irish lad you have to come over to England.

“The gaffer, all the lads, there’s a few Irish lads here as well.

“Conor Grant’s been in England for a while, Warren O’Hora, they’ve looked after me and Dawson very well. They’ve settled us in nicely.

“When we get the chance to play it’s just about football and we don’t have to worry about too much off the pitch.”

While Tuesday was his second start, with both coming in the League Cup, Burns has come off the bench three times so far in League One.

He is ready now to battle for a regular starting spot.

“I’m only over here a couple weeks, I came from Ireland. I’ve just got to be patient,” he said.

“I’m still only young, 20, there’s some very experienced lads in the squad. Whenever I’m called upon I have to give it 100 percent and just take my chance when I’m given it.

“I understand the gaffer’s thinking and methods, we’re a team here at the end of the day. If I’m planning or not playing, once the team is winning that’s the main thing.”

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