Patrick McBrearty

Patrick McBrearty
Personal information
Irish name Pádraig Mac Briartaigh
Sport Gaelic Football
Position Right Corner Forward
Born (1993-08-05) 5 August 1993[1]
Letterkenny, Ireland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Occupation Student
Club(s)
Years Club
2010– Chíll Chartha
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2011– Donegal
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 3
All-Irelands 1

Patrick "Paddy" McBrearty (born 5 August 1993 in Letterkenny) is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Chíll Chartha and has been a member of the Donegal senior inter-county team since 2011. A graduate of the Phoenix Elite Academy,[2] he is usually selected in the full-forward line for his county, often flanking Michael Murphy with Colm McFadden.[3] In 2015, Pat Spillane included McBrearty in his top 40 footballers in the game today.[4]

Among other accolades, he has one All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (2012), three Ulster Senior Football Championships (2011, 2012 and 2014) and two International Rules Series (2013, 2015). With this early success, McBrearty is believed to be "the most decorated player of his age ever to represent Donegal."[5] He is also part of an exclusive club to have played minor and senior matches for their county on the same day.[6] Indeed, he was the first Ulster footballer since Benny Coulter of Down to play both grades on the one afternoon – Benny is still waiting on that All-Ireland medal after Cork 2010.[7]

A major contributor to Donegal teams since his emergence at the start of the successful Jim McGuinness managerial era,[8] McBrearty is considered one of the finest young footballers to have arrived on the Donegal scene since Murphy.[9] Opponents have highlighted his "ace" attacking abilities and regard him as a considerable threat.[10] Like Murphy, McBrearty has been a live target for Australian Football League recruitment.[11] He turns down such offers as he wishes to further his education in Ireland and to spend time with his family.[12]

Playing career

Underage

McBrearty used to play association football with St Catherine's F.C. – also the hometown club of Everton's Séamus Coleman – and is a close friend of Irish association footballer Carl McHugh with whom he played for Ireland and went on trial at Celtic.[12][13][14] At Celtic he trained alongside the likes of Bobo Baldé and Thomas Gravesen.[15][16] He has also played soccer for Finn Harps at underage level.[17] He also played underage for his local club Kilcar and has won many titles alongside his brother Stephen.

He also played in the under-21 team that lost to Cavan in the 2013 Ulster final.[18]

Inter-county

2011 season

McBrearty was drafted into the senior panel by manager Jim McGuinness in May 2011 ahead of Donegal's opening Ulster Senior Football Championship game against Antrim.[9] He made his Donegal senior inter-county debut against Cavan at 17 years of age and scored 1–3. His 20th minute goal was fired first time along the ground into the Cavan net after a pass from Mark McHugh.[19] His performances during his debut season at senior inter-county level drew widespread praise, both from local and national media.[20][21]

2012 season

By the age of 18 he had firmly established himself as a member of the Donegal senior football team.[22][23]

After his second Ulster medal in 2012, Jim and Rory reckoned he had trained only about 25 times with the senior team.[24]

He played in the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final against Mayo, making a notable contribution in the build-up to Donegal's second goal of the game. His attempt at scoring a point came crashing off the Mayo post after eleven minutes of the match and Mayo's Kevin Keane fumbled, dropping the ball into the path of Colm McFadden who promptly slotted it into the back of the net.[25][26]

Dublin biting incident

Against Dublin in the final game of the 2013 National Football League McBrearty sustained a laceration to the shoulder, reported to have been caused by a bite from a Dublin player.[27] The Donegal management team took photographs of the wound, photographs of a wound which appeared to suggest had been caused by the teeth marks of a Dublin opponent.[28] McBrearty was hospitalised after the game to have the wound examined.[29][30] Accompanied by his parents, he underwent blood tests and was put on a course of antibiotics by concerned medics.[31]

The incident overshadowed the entire game and rocked Dublin's football team, according to media there.[32][33] Commentators described it as "shameful."[34] However, Dublin County Board chairman Andy Kettle reacted with indifference, rejecting the need for an investigation and complaining instead of "a hard pitch".[35]

The GAA launched a probe into the behaviour of the Dublin players.[36][37] On 17 April 2013, the Central Competitions Controls Committee (CCCC) cited Kevin O'Brien, the 2012 under-21 All-Ireland winning captain, for the biting of McBrearty.[38] However, most sources did not immediately name the player.[39][40][41] The offence fell under Category III and a three-match ban was proposed, enough to end the player's year if Dublin were to exit the Championship at an early stage.[42]

2013 season

Stalked by "bitegate" (see above) since the end of the National League, McBrearty put in a man of the match performance against Tyrone in Donegal's opening game of the Ulster Championship.[43] He played a crucial role in both of Donegal's goals.[44] Colm Cooper collected his award for him from The Sunday Game.[45] His quieter performance in the following game, an Ulster semi-final against Down, was put down to toothache.[46]

2014 season

McBrearty received a personal message from US actress Sarah Jessica Parker ahead of the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final: "My body is in NYC but my heart is in Donegal. Let's take the All Ireland and Paddy, bring it home to Kilcar. From Sarah Jessica and her son James."[47]

International rules

McBrearty was called up for Ireland ahead of the 2013 International Rules Series against Australia.[48] He started the first Test at Breffni Park, then came on in the second Test at Croke Park to smash home the goal of that game, as Ireland romped to a record-breaking victory.[49][50][51]

Honours

Team
Individual

References

  1. ↑ Keys, Colm (7 August 2012). "McBrearty shooting for the stars as he commits to Donegal cause". Irish Independent (Independent News & Media). Retrieved 7 August 2012. Paddy McBrearty was 19 on Sunday – he shares the same birthday as Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon.
  2. ↑ "Donegal star inspires a new generation". Hogan Stand. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013. Patrick is just one of a number of elite senior County players who have previously attended the Ulster GAA Elite Academy. Others include fellow Donegal star Michael Murphy, Tyrone's Peter Harte and Antrim hurling captain Neil McManus.
  3. ↑ "Donegal to have too much firepower". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). 26 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012. Patrick McBrearty has blossomed in the full-forward line...
  4. ↑ "Spillane names Murphy as 'most complete footballer in the game'". 27 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  5. ↑ "New role no problem to McBrearty". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). 20 August 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012. Just turned 19 on the day of the Kerry game, McBrearty is suely [sic] the most decorated player of his age ever to represent Donegal. And judging by his comments at the recent press night, he is not ready to rest on his laurels. [...] "If I can get to the end of my career and can say I'm totally satisfied with what I've done and look back and say I'm a happy man, it's something I can take to the grave with me," said Patrick, who says there is plenty of banter at Kilcar training now that he has two Ulstr [sic] medals and the likes of Michael Hegarty has only one.
  6. ↑ "County panel Cut to 26". www.hoganstand.com. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  7. ↑ McNulty, Chris (20 September 2014). "McBrearty brothers look to cement a place in history". Donegal News. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  8. ↑ "Steady as she goes . . .". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). 21 June 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012. The improvement in Patrick McBrearty this year underlines the work that Jim McGuinness has done with this squad. McBrearty was a huge talent when introduced as a minor, but even though he is still not 19, he has developed as a real team player and was Donegal's best forward in our two championship games to date. He won the penalty for our goal in Cavan and was involved in setting up both goals on Saturday night. His pass to Colm McFadden for the second goal was perfectly timed.
  9. 1 2 "McGee back and McBrearty drafted in by McGuinness". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). 5 May 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  10. ↑ Horgan, Noel (16 February 2012). "Rebels rightly wary of Patrick Mcbrearty threat". The Corkman. Retrieved 16 February 2012. Ace attacker Mcbrearty ( below) provided much of the inspiration for Donegal's success after two epic encounters [...] and the outcome on Saturday could well hinge on whether or not Cork can curb his influence to a certain extent.
  11. ↑ Cummiskey, Gavin (16 February 2012). "McBrearty attends Kennelly's AFL recruitment camp". The Irish Times (Irish Times Trust). Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  12. 1 2 "Patrick doesn't give an AFL about Oz". Donegal Now. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  13. ↑ "Donegal can benefit from McGuinness move – McBrearty". Hogan Stand. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  14. ↑ "McBrearty looking for time off". Hogan Stand. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  15. ↑ "Patrick McBrearty: Teenage Kicks". GAA.ie. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  16. ↑ "Donegal star McBrearty recalls 'fantastic' time at Celtic with McHugh: The Donegal star was close to becoming a professional soccer player before Gaelic football came calling". The Score. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  17. ↑ "Finn Harps to take on All-Ireland champions". Ocean FM. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012. Donegal goalkeepers Paul Durcan and Michael Boyle both spent some time on the books at Finn Park, while forward Patrick McBrearty and defender Frank McGlynn have turned out for Harps underage teams in the past.
  18. ↑ "Ulster U21 Final Live: Donegal 1-06 v Cavan 0–13". Donegal Now. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013. Patrick McBrearty is in flying form as he makes it a two-point game!
  19. ↑ Campbell, Peter (14 June 2011). "Cavan provide poor test for Donegal". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  20. ↑ "Murphy's new role – a debate that will run for the summer". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). 19 May 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011. We had the introduction of young Patrick McBrearty to get a feel of senior championship flavour. Jim McGuinness must have felt that with Donegal in a comfortable position, that the timing was right to give him a taste of what he can expect. McBrearty is a huge talent [...] but Donegal supporters will have to be patient with him; remember he still hasn't reached his 18th birthday.
  21. ↑ Floey, Cliona (23 August 2011). "Refreshed Donegal primed to go to work". The Belfast Telegraph (Independent News & Media). Retrieved 23 August 2011. Murphy's return means someone will lose out in the forwards and there is speculation that it will be Paddy McBrearty. The 17-year-old has done remarkably well in his debut senior season but could be given an impact-sub role in a match which comes just 48 hours before he returns to start his final year in secondary school.
  22. ↑ "Patrick looking for top marks again this week". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). 26 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012. A week after completing his Leaving Cert, Patrick McBrearty puts his 100% record in Ulster Championship football on the line again on Saturday evening next in Clones. It's hard to believe that the Kilcar man is still only 18 years of age but has firmly established himself on the Donegal senior team.
  23. ↑ "Victory over Derry fails to satisfy Donegal boss McGuinness". BBC Sport (BBC). 16 June 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2012. Patrick McBrearty was among Donegal's top performers, just a day after the 18-year-old student finished his exams. "He came into the squad at 17 and he has it all physically and mentally," added McGuinness.
  24. ↑ McNulty, Chris (July 2012). "'Baby Give It Up' for the Ulster champions". Donegal News. Retrieved July 2012. Patrick has only trained with us about 25 times in the last two years and he has two Ulster medals," Jim McGuinness observed after Sunday's final win over Down. Before the game myself and Rory Gallagher were just saying that it would be a good book to write – how to win two Ulster championships and train 25 times. He's fresh anyway, I'll give him that!
  25. ↑ "Live updates from the All-Ireland finals at Croke Park". RTÉ Sport (RTÉ). 23 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  26. ↑ Roche, Frank (24 September 2012). "Dazzling Donegal's day". Evening Herald (Independent News & Media). Retrieved 24 September 2012. You could argue that what happened then spooked Keane eight minutes later: as Paddy McBrearty's attempted point rebounded off an upright, the Mayo No 2 was in pole position to clear the danger but, one disastrous fumble later, McFadden had the ball in his hands and then the ball in the net.
  27. ↑ "McBrearty injury annoys officials". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). 8 April 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  28. ↑ O'Donnell, Dallan (9 April 2013). "Donegal claim McBrearty suffered an alleged bite wound". Sports News Ireland. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  29. ↑ "Claims McBrearty suffered bite wound". Hogan Stand. 9 April 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  30. ↑ "Donegal claim player was bitten in Dublin game". RTÉ Sport (RTÉ). 9 April 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  31. ↑ O'Kane, Karl (9 April 2013). "GAA ace Patrick McBrearty 'bitten' at match gets blood tests". The Star. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  32. ↑ Roche, Frank (11 April 2013). "McMahon: I don't know what happened". Evening Herald (Independent News & Media). Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  33. ↑ "McMahon expects resolution to McBrearty affair". Hogan Stand. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  34. ↑ Bogue, Declan (18 April 2013). "Justice must be seen to be done, and quickly". The Belfast Telegraph (Independent News & Media). Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  35. ↑ Roche, Frank (10 April 2013). "Dublin chief Kettle: Onus is on Donegal to prove that McBrearty was actually bitten". Evening Herald (Independent News & Media). Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  36. ↑ "GAA launch bite probe". Hogan Stand. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  37. ↑ "Croke Park set up investigation into alleged McBrearty biting incident". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). 10 April 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  38. ↑ "Dublin footballer Kevin O'Brien to contest ban for alleged biting incident: Hearing expected to take place before the national football league final". The Irish Times (Irish Times Trust). 10 April 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  39. ↑ "CCCC propose suspension for a Dublin player accused of biting Donegal's Paddy McBrearty". RTÉ Sport (RTÉ). 17 April 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  40. ↑ Manning, Gordon (18 April 2013). "Dubs player faces a shock three-game ban for biting". The Irish Sun. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  41. ↑ "Dublin player cited in McBrearty 'bite' allegation". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). 17 April 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  42. ↑ Keane, Paul (18 April 2013). "Croke Park set up investigation into alleged McBrearty biting incident". Irish Examiner (Thomas Crosbie Holdings). Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  43. ↑ "McBrearty consigns 'Bitegate' to history". Hogan Stand. 27 May 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  44. ↑ "Ulster Football Championship: Donegal 2–10 0–10 Tyrone". BBC Sport (BBC). 26 May 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013. But from a position where Donegal appeared to be losing their way, the game turned dramatically in their favour three minutes before the interval as McFadden produced a cool low finish to the net after man of the match McBrearty had flicked on a long ball from Michael Murphy. [...] Wherity timed his run perfectly to palm to the net from the edge of the squad but most of the credit for the goal had to go to McBrearty who outpaced Carlin before delivering the pinpoint pass to the substitute.
  45. ↑ Nolan, Sean (27 May 2013). "Monday Morning Corner Back: O'Hara tears into Walsh, O'Briain on the Sunday Game and prediction woes". JOE. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  46. ↑ "Toothache hampers McBrearty". Hogan Stand. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  47. ↑ "Hollywood star supporting Donegal". Hogan Stand. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  48. ↑ "Neil McGee and Patrick McBrearty confirmed to join Murphy on Irish panel". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). 8 October 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  49. ↑ "Ireland 57–35 Australia". RTÉ Sport (RTÉ). 19 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  50. ↑ "Paul Earley hails Ireland's ruthless streak against Australia". RTÉ Sport (RTÉ). 27 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  51. ↑ "Ireland 116–37 Australia". RTÉ Sport (RTÉ). 26 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  52. ↑ "Donegal dominate All-Star football nominations with 12 players selected". RTÉ Sport (RTÉ). 3 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.

External links

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