Sligo Rovers defender Liam Burns, one of the stars of the First Division season to date, has paid tribute to manager Sean Connor for the manner in which he has fashioned a side capable of challenging for championship honours in his first few months in the job.
Connor took over from caretaker boss Mickey Feeney last September, and immediately set about putting together a strong squad at the Showgrounds.
Former Northern Ireland under-21 international Burns was just one of several new additions, with Hawaiian left back Kupono Low, Bosnian midfielder Faz Kuduzovic and Bolivian striker Carlos Alvarez adding an exotic flavour alongside astute signings of players with proven eircom League experience such as midfielder Conor O’Grady, who returned to the club from Derry City.
The changes have wrought a quick influence, with Rovers striding to the top of the First Division table before last weekend’s first defeat of the campaign against Monaghan United.
And Burns is delighted with the atmosphere in the dressing-room at the moment.
The ex-Port Vale man, 26, told the club’s official website: “We’ve had an excellent start to season – better than anyone could have expected. There’s quite a few new players coming in and normally it takes time to gel. To be honest, that’s down to the manager [Sean Connor]. He’s brought in the right type of players, people who get on with each other and the spirit is fantastic at the minute.
“We’re all in it together. It’s a squad game, and when players come in for lads who are not playing or are suspended they have to be able to come and do a job. And so far that’s happened.”
