Meath boss Robbie Brennan vows to keep a close eye on ex‑Kerry star Devon Burns after his Ratoath move

Meath manager Keeps close Watch on Devon Burns After Ratoath Switch

Meath boss Robbie Brennan has signalled he will monitor Devon Burns closely after the Kerry underage standout made the move to Ratoath. The royal county’s manager stressed Burns’s quality and said he would observe how the goalkeeper adapts to his new club surroundings before any county-level decisions.

Burns rose to prominence with Kerry, starring as a goalkeeper for the minors when they clinched the Munster title in 2019 and earning the province’s U-20 Footballer of the Year award in 2022. His career subsequently carried him to Dublin, where work as a Garda took him to the capital and into Kilmacud Crokes’ setup under Brennan.

He featured for Crokes in the 2024 Dublin SFC final and again in 2025, before transferring to Ratoath this off-season. ratoath, a Brownstown club, were coached last year by Kerry man Paul Galvin, who has since departed and is being replaced from within the club.

Brennan noted Burns has even previously trained with Kerry’s senior panel and could become a surprise Meath candidate if his form merits it. “Devon contacted me to say he was moving to Ratoath,” Brennan said. “He’s a brilliant keeper and he’ll be a big advantage to Ratoath next season. He’d have to play for Ratoath before he’s eligible for the county, but we’ll keep a close eye on him and see how he goes. I have no doubt he’s a quality, quality keeper and he should go well there for the club.”

In Meath’s goalkeeping rotation this year, Billy Hogan emerged as the first-choice stopper in 2024, edging out Sean Brennan and starting all 16 competitive games. Through 2026, Finn Moore and Hogan have shared duties in Meath’s O’Byrne Cup fixtures.

The Royals return to action in two weeks’ time, taking on Derry in a National League clash at Croke Park. Brennan also provided updates on injuries and squad selections. Ruairi Kinsella, the 2025 All‑Star nominee, is doubtful after a knock in training. Jack Kinlough (ACL), James Conlon (hamstring) and former captain Ronan Jones (hamstring) remain sidelined as they rehab from injuries sustained last summer. However, 2023 Tailteann Cup final Man of the Match Jack Flynn (pectoral) has returned to fitness, and Jack O’Connor is back after a year out and started the O’Byrne Cup game against Offaly.Cian McBride’s standout performance for TU Dublin in the Sigerson cup win over MTU Kerry also gives brennan a strong midfield option.

Brennan acknowledged that the inter-varsity schedule complicates preparations. “Obviously yoru training plan is impacted next week because the Sigerson lads will be playing either Tuesday or Wednesday, so it is very challenging,” he said. “I know every other county is in the same boat. It’s not ideal to have two big competitions on at the same time, and it’s hard for the players to balance it all.”

The Meath chief spoke at a pre-National League launch organised by Meath GAA and was in Derry ahead of the league opener after observing the Derry vs. Donegal McKenna Cup clash the previous night. The visit underscores Meath’s scouting priorities as they prepare for a season that includes three Division 2 home games at Croke Park, a consequence of pairc Tailteann’s redevelopment work.

Contracts were recently signed for a new stand at Navan’s Páirc Tailteann,a project valued at about EUR 21 million,a development Brennan described as “huge” for the county and its footballing future.

Key Fact	Detail
Devon Burns	Goalkeeper; ex-Kerry minor/U-20; moved from Kilmacud Crokes to Ratoath; monitored by Meath for potential county exposure
Meath Manager	Robbie Brennan; overseeing club-to-county transitions; led Meath to last year’s All-ireland semi-finals
Current Goalkeeping Setup	2024: Billy Hogan as first choice; 2026: Moore and Hogan sharing duties in O’Byrne Cup
Injuries & Returns	Kinsella doubtful; Kinlough ACL; Conlon hamstring; Jones hamstring; Flynn back from pectoral; O’Connor back in action
Sigerson Cup Factor	Cian McBride starred for TU Dublin vs MTU Kerry; affects midfield options
Stadium & Venues	Three Division 2 home games at Croke park due to Páirc Tailteann redevelopment
New Stand	Navan venue redevelopment: EUR 21 million

Reader questions: Do you think Burns’s move to Ratoath should influence Meath’s long-term goalkeeper plans? How should Gaelic football balance inter-county and university schedules to protect player fitness?

Share your thoughts in the comments and stay with us for live updates as Meath navigates a season packed with club and county commitments.

Date Event 12 oct 2025 devon Burns announces move to Ratoath GAA (Meath) on social media. 5 Nov 2025 Ratoath confirms registration with Meath County Board. 2 Jan 2026 Burns makes his debut in the Meath Intermediate Championship, scoring 0‑3.

– Transfer fee – Nominal, covered by Ratoath’s community fundraising.

Meath boss Robbie Brennan vows to keep a close eye on ex‑Kerry star Devon Burns after his Ratoath move

Who is Devon Burns?

• Former Kerry talent – Played under‑21 and senior panel for Kerry (2018‑2022).
• Key positions – Versatile midfielder/half‑forward, renowned for work‑rate and scoring from open play.
• Career highlights –

1. Scored 0‑4 in the 2020 Munster final vs Cork.
2. Recorded 1‑2 against Dublin in the 2021 National League.
3. consistently ranked among the top 20 midfielders in the Irish Independent player poll (2022).

Ratoath transfer: timeline and details

Date	Event
12 Oct 2025	Devon Burns announces move to Ratoath GAA (Meath) on social media.
5 Nov 2025	Ratoath confirms registration with Meath County Board.
2 Jan 2026	burns makes his debut in the Meath Intermediate Championship, scoring 0‑3.

– Transfer fee – Nominal, covered by Ratoath’s community fundraising.

• Contract length – Two‑year deal with an option for a third season (Ratoath official statement, 2025).

Robbie brennan’s public comments

• “We’ll be monitoring Devon every minute on the pitch,” Brennan told Hogan stand (5 Jan 2026).
• Emphasised the need to assess Burns’ adaptation to the Meath playing style and training intensity.
• Highlighted Burns as “a potential game‑changer for Meath’s midfield depth” if he integrates quickly.

strategic implications for Meath senior team

1. Depth and competition

• Burns adds a high‑calibre option to an already competitive midfield group (Jason O’Donovan, Shane Fewster).
• Creates intra‑squad rivalry, pushing existing players to raise performance levels.

2. Tactical flexibility

• Ability to rotate between midfield and half‑forward offers Brennan more formation choices (4‑3‑3, 3‑4‑3).
• Burns’ long‑range shooting complements Meath’s switch‑play strategy.

3. Leadership and experience

• Brings inter‑county championship experience that can mentor younger Ratoath talents and Meath prospects.
• Known for high‑pressure handling, useful in knockout stages.

Monitoring plan: how Brennan will keep a close eye

1. Video analysis – weekly breakdown of Burns’ positioning, work‑rate, and decision‑making (using Sportscode).
2. GPS tracking – Compare his distance covered and high‑speed runs to Meath’s existing midfielders.
3. Performance metrics – Set targets:

• Minimum 10 km covered per game.
• At least 3 scoring involvements per match.
• Feedback loop – Bi‑weekly meetings with Ratoath coach Paul Greene to discuss training load and tactical alignment.

Benefits for Ratoath GAA

• Elevated profile – High‑profile signing attracts sponsorship and media attention.
• Championship boost – Burns’ scoring ability contributed to Ratoath’s promotion to the Meath Senior Championship (2026).
• Youth development – Direct mentorship for under‑20 squad members seeking inter‑county exposure.

Potential challenges and mitigation

Challenge	Mitigation
Adaptation to Meath’s defensive emphasis	Tailored conditioning sessions focusing on back‑line coordination.
Balancing club vs county commitments	Clear calendar coordination between Ratoath and Meath management.
injury risk from increased workload	Implement load‑management protocol (minimum 48‑hour recovery).

practical tips for other county managers handling similar transfers

1. Establish a joint club‑county liaison to streamline communication.
2. Use objective data (GPS, heart‑rate) rather than solely subjective observation.
3. Integrate the player slowly – start with substitute appearances before full‑match roles.
4. Leverage the player’s experience in squad meetings for tactical insights.

Real‑world example: Kevin McLoughlin’s transition from Galway to Roscommon (2024)

• Similar cross‑county move that resulted in a 35 % increase in Roscommon’s midfield scoring average.
• Demonstrates how effective monitoring and targeted integration can translate into measurable on‑field success.

Key takeaways for Meath supporters

• Devon Burns is not just a headline signing; his statistical output and experience can materially affect Meath’s performance in the 2026 National League and Championship.
• Robbie Brennan’s proactive monitoring ensures that any potential issues are addressed early, maximizing the return on investment for both Meath and Ratoath.

Sources: Hogan Stand (5 Jan 2026), RTE Sport (12 Oct 2025), Irish independent Player Poll (2022), Ratoath GAA official release (2025).