Former teammates and colleagues look back at the brilliance of Patrick McBrearty

The debate about the christian name of Patrick McBrearty was always a sideline for reporters; the local press stuck to Patrick; the nationals went for Paddy.

And there was a good reason for the local press side of the story. I can recall at a schools’ match somewhere in Ulster with Coláiste na Carriage in action and we wanted to get a handle on the issue. So we approached his mum, Carol, and were told he was christened Patrick and that’s what should be used. We tried our best to keep our side of the bargain.

On Monday evening last the announcement that Patrick had decided to retire from intercounty football was news that we didn’t really want to hear. There had been rumours in recent weeks about an operation and those rumours gathered momentum last weekend.

We knew that it would take something pretty serious to see the Kilcar man decide that he couldn’t continue. County football has been his life since Jim McGuinness visited the family home in 2011 to persuade the then 17-year-old that he was going to be part of the ‘new’ Donegal.

McBrearty’s talent was well known from a very early age with the National School in Kilcar, Coláiste na Carraige and Kilcar underage teams. He was well ahead of his years in physical stature and there were also Australian Rules agents turning up at school games to witness this new kid on the block.

The expectation was huge and now after 15 seasons playing at the very highest level, it is safe to say that Patrick McBrearty managed those expectations with extraordinary confidence and style. He has created many personal records, not least having seven Ulster championship medals, that will be very hard to top.

The list of stats - 167 appearances for Donegal (82 championship); 7 Ulster Championship medals, 1 All-Ireland; 15 goals; 465 points; captained Donegal to two of the Ulster titles; captained Kilcar to bridge the gap from 1993 when they won the Donegal title in 2017.

It has been a great journey for the McBrearty family, and it was a great decision by the McBrearty family to return to Derrylaughan from Dublin when Patrick was still in national school. There was a proud occasion when Patrick and Stephen played in Croke Park in the senior and minor All-Ireland finals in 2014. There is no doubt that younger brother Stephen also had the x factor to play at the very top level.

Hopefully they get the chance to play more alongside each other in the coming years if Patrick is able to play some club football. His heart was always in Kilcar and he was able to wear the club and county colours with distinction. 

Whether it is Patrick or Paddy, it matters little. That lethal left boot will be missed. Use arrows to toggle tributes