Republic of Ireland
He played for Sligo Rovers, helping them to top the First Division table in 2005, and therefore win a place in the Premier Division. He was with Sean Connor's "Bit o' Red" in 2006, as they recorded a fifth place finish.
When Connor left Sligo for Bohemians at the end of the 2006 season, Burns soon followed him to Dalymount Park and became a regular in the first eleven. A third place finish in 2007 meant that they qualified for UEFA Intertoto Cup football. They also reached the final of the League of Ireland Cup, losing out to Derry City after Kevin McHugh's extra-time strike at the Brandywell Stadium. Burns netted his first goal for "Bohs" against his former club Sligo on 21 March 2008 in a 2–1 win. Bohemians then went on to win the league in 2008 under new manager Pat Fenlon, thereby qualifying for UEFA Champions League football. Burns played in the 2008 FAI Cup Final, as "Bohs" beat Derry on penalties in front of over 10,000 spectators at the Royal Dublin Society. During his two years with the club he played alongside Jason McGuinness and then Ken Oman. Burns' consistency was rewarded when he was voted on to the Premier Division Team for 2008, receiving 59% of the votes for the centre back position.
After rejecting a new deal with the club, Burns reunited with former boss Sean Connor at Dundalk for the 2009 season. The Oriel Park side posted a fifth place finish in 2009, though at the end of the season two sides above them (Derry and Cork City) were demoted. Burns missed just two league games all season, and scored against former club Sligo at the Showgrounds, and against Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium. Prior to the start of the 2010 season, Burns had been training with Shamrock with the aim of joining them, but after the signing of Dan Murray Burns was not going to be offered a contract, so he re-signed for Dundalk and was named as captain. He went on to play 27 games in league and cup, forming a defensive partnership with Garry Breen, scoring once in a home defeat to Bray Wanderers. At the end of the season, the "Lilywhites" finished sixth; Burns was offered another contract by Dundalk, but once again delayed in signing the contract to 'keep his options open'.
In February 2011, Burns returned to Dalymount Park for a second spell with Bohemians just in time for the new season. The "Gypsies" finished the season in fifth place under manager Pat Fenlon, with Burns playing in a centre-back partnership with Aidan Price.
In January 2012, Burns re-signed with Dundalk.
Read more about this topic: Liam Burns, Playing Career
Famous quotes containing the words republic of, republic and/or ireland:
“Paper is cheap, and authors need not now erase one book before they write another. Instead of cultivating the earth for wheat and potatoes, they cultivate literature, and fill a place in the Republic of Letters. Or they would fain write for fame merely, as others actually raise crops of grain to be distilled into brandy.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“It is the manners and spirit of a people which preserves a republic in vigour. A degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats to the heart of its laws and constitution.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
“Sport and death are the two great socializing factors in Ireland ...”
—Elizabeth Bowen (1899–1973)