MK Dons’ Irish revolution in 2022 never really got off the ground

In the summer of 2022, MK Dons saw the League of Ireland as an untapped source for rough diamonds they could turn into players ready to lead the club into the Championship. It did not quite turn out that way.

The raids for Dawson Devoy and Darragh Burns had fans excited, with both coming over the Irish Sea with an air of excitement, while Dons added a third Irishman in the form of Conor Grant from Rochdale having made the same journey in 2017.

For youngsters Devoy and Burns though, settling into life in Milton Keynes, at least on the pitch, proved easier said than done.

A lot of weight of expectation fell on the shoulders of Devoy in particular. Tasked with replacing the club’s top scorer, Player of the Year and the League’s Player of the Year too in the form of Scott Twine, he was almost set up to fail. Making the step up to full-time had it’s hindrances, with boss at the time Liam Manning citing his fitness as one of the biggest differences between the levels.

Burns would make a swift impact with a stand-out display in the Carabao Cup against Watford, where he scored the winner against the Championship side, but his progress would be scuppered when he suffered an early-season injury, and it coincided with the team’s struggles which would ultimately see them relegated.

Devoy would start to get his feet under the table, but his performances never reached the heights many expected of him, while Burns would eventually end up back in Ireland on loan at Shamrock Rovers when he was deemed surplus to requirements by Graham Alexander.

Devoy too then followed Burns out the door on loan, ending up in Wiltshire as he helped Swindon Town in the second-half of the 23/24 season, not fitting into Mike Williamson’s plans and upon his return the following summer, would return to his homeland with Bohemians, where he had departed just two years earlier.

Burns though would continue to make a fist of things in England. After his loan with Shamrock ended, it raised eyebrows when he joined League Two side Grimsby Town. Making more than 50 appearances for the Mariners last season, he starred in their League Cup win over Manchester United and missed out on promotion via the play-offs.

But like Devoy, he has this summer returned to Ireland, signing a deal with Derry City for an undisclosed fee, ending his time in England.

Grant meanwhile would feature semi-regularly for Dons under Manning, Mark Jackson, Graham Alexander and Mike Williamson before making the jump to League One level with Barnsley, who would reach the play-offs. A move to Notts County would follow for the Irishman, and he helped guide them, alongside Dons, to promotion last time out.