Blue and Gold Illustrated

Sept. 24, 2022

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 24, 2022 49 BY TODD D. BURLAGE I t's not unusual for a recent high school graduate to take a "gap year" to try and find themselves, and to find the best fit for where to spend their college years. But few have ever faced or weighed the wide-ranging scholastic options that Notre Dame junior Paddy Burns did in the fall of 2019. A native of North- ern Ireland, Burns considered staying at home for school, going to college some- where else in the United Kingdom or studying abroad in the United States. And as a gifted student and one of the best youth soccer players in his province, Burns had the luxury of seek- ing the best balance of academics and athletics. Ultimately, unlikely circum- stances and his acquaintance with a real-life Fighting Irish leprechaun put Notre Dame on Burns' radar. Bobby Burns, Paddy's older brother, played soccer in Northern Ireland with Conal Fagan. Upon high school gradu- ation, Fagan went to school at Notre Dame where he became a leprechaun mascot with the cheerleading squad. Paddy Burns and Fagan connected during the former's school search. Burns became intrigued by Fagan's en- dorsement of the school. Burns applied to Notre Dame, was accepted and about three years later he couldn't be happier. "Coming here was the best thing for me," Burns said. "I try every day to kind of pinch myself and understand that I am here and so lucky to be here. If I was to find one word for my Notre Dame ex- perience, it would be unbelievable. It's just been so good." Expectedly, anxiousness and some homesickness accompanied Burns on his 3,500-mile relocation. Adding to an al- ready tough acclimation, Burns arrived to Notre Dame as the campus heads were fighting to keep COVID-19 under control. "I couldn't meet anybody outside of my teammates and in my dorm," Burns said. Burns said his unmistakable Irish ac- cent also complicated his relocation. "When I first got here, my teammates struggled to understand me," he said. "I think I had a thicker accent then. So, I've slowed my speaking down a little bit." On the pitch, the transition for Burns went much smoother. Based on an email and game film — Burns captained the 2019 Northern Ireland U18 National Team that hoisted the prestigious Centenary Shield — Irish head coach Chad Riley gave Burns a chance to join the team, and his defender's impact was immediate. "First, was his video, you could tell right away that he was a very good player," Riley explained. "Secondly, af- ter speaking with him, you could tell he was a special guy. He would be a special leader for our team." As a freshman in 2020, Burns played in all 17 matches and made 13 starts as a left back. He started all 24 matches as a soph- omore last season and tallied 11 points on 3 goals and 5 assists, with two of those goals coming during the NCAA Tournament when Notre Dame reached the College Cup (national semifinals) for only the sec- ond time in program history. And through four games this season, Burns had 1 goal and was third on the team with 8 shots. "When I look at my life before I got here and when I look at it now, it's night and day," Burns shared. "Physically, I feel like I am a much better footballer, but also mentally and spiritually. "I've been so blessed to be here. They took a chance on me. In many ways, it just seems like a dream." ✦ Soccer Standout Paddy Burns Savoring His Time At Notre Dame Burns, a native of Northern Ireland, started all 24 matches as a sophomore last season and tal- lied 11 points on 3 goals and 5 assists. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ND SPORTS Irish Roundup Through Sept. 15 MEN'S GOLF No. 20-ranked Notre Dame opened its fall slate with a 16-under-par 824 for a fourth-place finish in the Fighting Irish Classic Sept. 4-5 at Warren Golf Course … The Irish then shot a 3-under 849 to finish ninth out of 15 teams at the Gopher Invitational Sept. 11-12 in Independence, Minn. … Next up for Notre Dame is the Inverness Intercollegiate Sept. 26-27 in Toledo, Ohio. WOMEN'S GOLF The Fighting Irish opened the season at the Badger Invitational Sept. 18-20 in Verona, Wis. MEN'S SOCCER (1-2-1 OVERALL, 0-1-0 ACC) Notre Dame suffered a 1-0 setback at Syracuse in its ACC opener Sept. 10 … The Irish hit the road again to take on Virginia Sept. 16 before returning home to face Chicago State Sept. 21. WOMEN'S SOCCER (7-1-0 OVERALL, 0-1-0 ACC) The No. 6 Fighting Irish defeated Ohio 3-0 Sept. 11, but fell 2-0 to No. 24 Clemson in their ACC opener Sept. 15 … Notre Dame has a pair of home games vs. Virginia Sept. 22 and Pittsburgh Sept. 25. VOLLEYBALL (3-5 OVERALL, 0-0 ACC) Notre Dame won two of three matches in the Quest For The Crown tournament Sept. 9-10 in Norfolk, Va., topping East Carolina (3-2) and Old Dominion (3-2) before falling to Navy (3-1) … The Irish face Central Michigan and Ohio in the 2022 Bulldog Brawl Sept. 16-17 in Indianapolis. — Steve Downey

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