Jimmy Dunne returns to Burnley after loan spell at Hearts

Recently called up Irish International Jimmy Dunne has returned to his parent club Burnley following a fruitful spell in Scotland with SPL side Hearts.

While at Tynecastle, the Irish Under-21 International made 14 appearances for Craig Levein’s Jambos who reached a Scottish League Cup Semi-Final during Dunne’s brief stint in Edinburgh.

Alongside his appearance in a League Cup Semi-Final against Celtic, Dunne earned his first full senior call up to the Republic of Ireland squad in November for the internationals against Northern Ireland and Denmark respectively.

When at Hearts, the Louth native established himself as a key defensive mainstay in Craig Levein’s starting eleven, forging an impressive partnership with club captain John Souttar in the process.

Since his appearance in the Scottish League Cup Semi-Final at Murrayfield against Celtic, the 21-year-old has struggled with an ankle injury, an issue which has kept the former Manchester United youth prospect out of action since then.

Dunne returns to his parent club Burnley who are in the midst of a relegation dogfight in the Premier League while his former club Hearts look primed for a Europa League push in the remaining few months of the season in the SPL. 

 

The Statement from Heart of Midlothian reads;

Jimmy Dunne has returned to Burnley following the end of his loan deal.

The 21-year-old joined Hearts back in August after club captain Christophe Berra picked up in injury in the second league game of the season, leaving him sidelined for the next four months.



Jimmy featured 14 times for the Jambos and scored twice, netting against St Johnstone and Rangers.

The centre-half’s form at Tynecastle saw him win a maiden call up to the full Republic of Ireland squad.

The club would like to thank Jimmy for all of his efforts in a maroon shirt and wishes him well in the next chapter of his career.