David Burke and St. Thomas' advanced to the All-Ireland senior club hurling final last night after a nailbiting semi-final encounter against Waterford's Ballygunner was decided on penalties in Portlaoise.
The six-in-a-row county champions had lost their last three All-Ireland semi-finals but delivered from the spot in dramatic circumstances after a tense December clash.
There was plenty of criticism on social media that the game didn't go to a replay when the sides were deadlocked after sixty minutes, however St. Thomas' will care not a jot about that now.
What a game between Ballygunner and St. Thomas'. Neither team deserves to lose. Disgraceful that there isn't a replay. To play an All Ireland Club Hurling Semi Final on a Saturday night the weekend before Christmas is a disgrace by the GAA. Almost 10pm and the game goes to…
— Adrian Heneghan (@Adrianheneghan) December 16, 2023
Nine days before Christmas, closing in on 10pm on a Saturday night and a penalty shootout to decide an All-Ireland final place.
— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) December 16, 2023
Heartbreak for Ballygunner, Billy O Keeffe and Dessie Hutchinson. Penalties should not have decided this cracker. Replay would have been fairest outcome
— Ailbe O Raghallaigh (@ailbeoreilly) December 16, 2023
Having won the title in their maiden national campaign in 2013, the Galway men are now just one win away from climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand once again.
One of the men that was involved a decade ago is the aforementioned David Burke, who also captained Galway to the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2017.
Burke wasn't named to start last night but came in as a late replacement for Evan Duggan and made an impressive impact scoring on the day.
David Burke ACL injury featured on RTÉ show
It continues a remarkable comeback for the 33-year-old who had ACL surgery only nine months ago in training.
Burke featured on the RTÉ show 'My BodyFix' with Kathryn Thomas last month and detailed the injury.
"I heard a snap and the pain was unbearable. I knew it was serious and might jeopardise my place on the team," he told Thomas.
"That initial shock of realising that you’re gone for the season, it was heart-breaking really. It’s embarrassing, as some people seem to have me written off already.”
Burke has worked closely with his consultant, Professor Cathal Moran in the Sports Surgery Clinic in Santry and has recovered and found himself back on the field much sooner than expected.
Unsurprisingly he has garnered a lot of praise following his heroic comeback which was capped off by playing eighty minutes last night.
David Burke no doubt went through all the emotions after suffering that ACL injury. The determination to fight back and play his part in that win is incredible
— Ivan Smyth (@IvanSmythSport) December 16, 2023
David Burke tore his ACL in March. Comeback was on RTE BodyFix
"It plays on your mind. The motivating factor is playing and putting on the club jersey again. Look, I haven't too many years left in the tank but I know I can still offer a little more."
Over 80 minutes tonight💪 pic.twitter.com/lsq0BLjDVA— Maurice Brosnan (@m_brosnan) December 16, 2023
No matter what happens. I couldn’t be prouder. This team….David Burke is a wonder that he’s still out. 🙏🏻
— David Connors (@peterswellman) December 16, 2023
St. Thomas' will now face either O'Loughlin Gaels of Kilkenny or Cushendall of Antrim who meet in the second semi-final in Navan this afternoon.
The final is scheduled to take place on Sunday January 21st.
SEE ALSO: Kilkerrin Clonberne Player Gives Emotional Interview After All-Ireland Win
