Burke joins Kildare management team for 2026

Davy Burke will join the Kildare management team for the 2026 season it has been confirmed this evening.

The Confey man enjoyed great success as Kildare Under 20 manager when he became the first man in over 50 years to manage a Kildare team to an All-Ireland title in 2018.

He has racked up a lot of managerial experience since then.

As Sarsfields manager, he prevented Moorefield from completing a Kildare SFC three-in-a-row in 2019 before his first senior role with Wicklow when he became the youngest intercounty manager in history later that year. 

After Cian O'Neill's departure from the Kildare manager's job, Burke was on a shortlist of three to replace him but eventually was overlooked in favour of Glenn Ryan.

He took over as Roscommon manager in October 2022 and spent three years in Connacht before ending his time there ended this summer.

With a number of positions vacant throughout the country and his stock still high, Burke’s name has been linked with a host of counties but he has been persuaded to come on board his native county’s management team by the man who emulated his All-Ireland U20 success in 2023, Brian Flanagan.

The two men who led Kildare to such glory at underage level working side by side is a tantalisingly exciting for all supporters as Kildare look to build on Flangan’s first year in charge, which saw promotion to Division 2 and ended with Tailteann Cup glory.

Known as magnificent man motivator, Burke is also known for a shrewd tactical mind which has been honed by competing against the best teams in the country in Division 1 while in charge of Roscommon, and also in the Connacht Championship.

Burke joins in addition to the back room team that worked with Flangan this year. He will join Aidan O’Rourke as a Head Coach with Damien Hendy and Daryl Flynn remaining as selectors.

The appointment will be brought forward for ratification at the September County Board meeting on Tuesday, 2nd September