JARLATH Burns has expressed his disappointment over his son’s decision to step away from the Armagh senior football panel next season – but fully understands his reasons for doing so.
Jarlath Og’s absence from the Orchard squad in 2024 obviously comes as a huge blow to boss Kieran McGeeney as he attempts to push his native county closer to silverware after going so close to landing the Anglo-Celt Cup last summer.
Burns snr insisted his son’s decision to step away was a difficult one for him but that he has youth on his side to come back the following year.
“He is an adult, and he can make his own decisions,” said Burns.
“It is not me that’s having to go out and make all those commitments. He got a concussion in the last club match we played against Clann Éireann and he’s had a couple of those.
“The one thing about the split season which I really agree with is that it is hard on county players. County players come straight off the county season and straight into the club season.
“It is not like they can just relax through the club season - they are expected to lead, to jump straight into the game-plan that your club has and be the star.
“That’s very draining and there’s a lot of intensity with that as well. It is an amateur game and fellas have the right if they wish, they are not under contract, to step back.”
Jarlath Og’s versatility around the middle eight, his fielding ability and direct running are the Silverbridge man’s key strengths – and his absence will undoubtedly limit McGeeney’s options in those areas.
“I know it is going to hurt him,” Burns acknowledged.
“I would love it if he would stay on and keep at it, but I’d like to think he’d come back even better. He’s only 24 so he’s still very young."
