Former Mayo goalkeeper Peter Burke has paid tribute to the recently retired David Clarke, saying that one of his biggest traits was to make new players feel welcome in the county senior camp every year.
Burke, the highly regarded netminder who played in the 1997 All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry, served as Mayo's senior goalkeeping coach for eight years.
He coached Clarke between 2011 and 2018 and the two struck up a tight friendship.
Burke was initially brought into the Mayo fold as goalkeeping coach by James Horan.
The Kiltimagh clubman was subsequently appointed as a team selector by Stephen Rochford at the start of the 2017 season and was extremely popular with the players.
Paying tribute to the long-serving Clarke, who retired yesterday after two decades service, Burke said the Ballina keeper was an extremely popular figure.
"David started off as an understudy to myself back in 2001 where he won his first National League medal, and he was an ever present in the Mayo colours since then," Burke said.
"I coached David between the years 2011 and 2018 and he is a hugely popular figure around the county.
"In the Mayo squad he is an extremely professional gentleman where he welcomes new players year in, year out, with total respect.
"David, is a quietly confident man, loyal, modest and humble character, who was very committed and determined to achieve his goals throughout his career, both with club and county.
"He was dependable, easy to coach and willing to take on any advice that was thrown at him through my time working with him."
Burke says that it is tough to see his good friend leave the inter-county stage without a Celtic Cross.
"David is a good loyal friend of mine," Burke added. "I'm saddened to see him retire without that elusive All-Ireland medal which so many of that team really deserved."
Clarke was on the Mayo senior panel for four years before he received a championship debut in 2005.
During a glittering career with the Green and Red senior team which spanned two decades, he won eight Connacht titles, two Allianz Football Leagues, and two GAA/GPA All-Stars.
In total he made 56 Championship appearances.
Apart from Burke, Clarke also worked with other goalkeeping coaches such as Eugene Lavin and Tom Higgins as he rose through the ranks and cemented his status as one of the best keepers in the land.
Rob Hennelly is in pole position to take command of the number one shirt once more.
Rory Byrne has captained Castlebar Mitchels to county title successes and is regarded as a fine shot-stopper who is also very adept in the air and he will be looking to put the pressure on Hennelly.
However, Westport and former Mayo minor goalkeeper Paddy O’Malley has only recently transferred to Roscommon - three seasons on from starting in goal for the county in the 2018 All-Ireland Under-20 final.
O’Malley, who qualifies to play for Roscommon through his mother, was disappointed not to have been given more opportunities to prove himself in the senior squad.
