BY RYAN FERRY

MARTY Coyle has enjoyed his first season in charge of Burt so far and he’s eagerly awaiting what the Intermediate Championship might have in store for his team.

They won promotion and clinched the Division 3 title but Coyle expects things to pick up a level or two.

“I was late enough into the job in February but in fairness the work had already started.

“The boys weren’t waiting about on a manager to come in and get things going.

“Then when the league started we had Naomh Ultan and Naomh Brid and a few strong teams early on and we got wins in those matches and momentum built up from there.

“We have a good mixture. We have some older boys there who have played for years and then younger lads breaking through and we don’t want to throw them into the deep end.

“We want them to get experience and confidence playing at senior level.”

Burt were working off a small panel last season and while they only lost by a point against the IFC finalists in Termon and Naomh Columba, they just didn’t have the depth they needed and ended up in the relegation play-off.

However, the club did make the Intermediate reserve final last season and some of those players are now establishing themselves.

“Some of the younger boys were with the reserves last year. Leo Kelly has done great for us at corner-back and has even played full-back. He loves his football and is a good committed lad.

“Caolan McKinney and Michael McElroy were with the reserves last year too and are playing senior.

“Darragh Donaghey has done well but he’s only a minor and we don’t want to be relying too much on any young lads.

“The hurlers have been busy with their championship but there’s good communication there.

“The likes of Conor Gartland, Oisin Kelly and Dara Grant might train with the hurlers on Monday but they’ll be there on a Tuesday when the football is on and would be stepping about.

“They mightn’t be doing anything too intensive but it helps with the unity and there is a good buzz.”

Burt will face Gaeil Fhánada and Bundoran at home and Buncrana and Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin away.

They’d love to avoid the relegation play-off this season but Coyle says they won’t get anything easy.

“We have Fanad at home first and that’s going to be a tough match for us. They were in Division 2 whereas we were in Division 3 and we feel that’s going to be a big step up just with the pace that the other teams are going to be playing at.

“But we’re looking forward to it and we want to go and enjoy the match.”

Bainisiteoir: Marty Coyle

Captain: Sean McHugh

Last Year: IFC Relegation finalists

Star Man: Stephen O’Donnell

One to Watch: Darragh Donaghey.