'I was just the lucky one,' says McBrearty on being named Donegal captain

Patrick McBrearty admits he was “the lucky one” having been given the nod to succeed Michael Murphy as Donegal captain.

McBrearty will skipper Donegal for the first time on Sunday when they open their Allianz League Division 1 campaign against Kerry. The 29-year-old is in his 13th season now as a senior inter-county footballer having debuted in 2011 against Antrim in the Ulster SFC having played minors earlier the same day.

That drizzly day in Ballybofey was Murphy’s first in the championship as captain and McBrearty said he was just one of those who led by example.

“It wasn't just Michael,” McBrearty said in relation to who he looked up to as a 17-year-old. “There were loads and loads of lads – Kevin Cassidy, Rory Kavanagh, Colm McFadden – all those boys were big, big leaders for us, and I learned a lot from them.”

McBrearty captained Kilcar to the Donegal SFC and is the first official Donegal skipper from the Towney-based club since Michael Hegarty carried the mantle under Mickey Moran in 2002. McBrearty has joint vice-captains in the form of Killybegs teammates Eoghan Ban Gallagher and Hugh McFadden.

“There are five or six lads who could have got that role in this dressing room, and I was just the lucky one,” McBreary said. “There are lads speaking this year that I never heard before which is a really, really good thing and long may that continue as well.

“It's a proud moment for myself individually and my family and to the club of Kilcar. They are big boots to fill in Michael's absence but one I'm looking forward to and I hope to get off to a good start on Sunday.”

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“Obviously when Micheal left, there was a big space to fill but there's loads and loads of leaders within this group. There are five or six lads who could have got it. When Paddy came to me I was delighted and it was one I wasn't going to pass up.”

“There's plenty of boys here who love to talk. I've always had the mantra that I only speak whenever I need to and that will continue as well.”

Daire Ó Baoill was captain last time out, when Donegal faced Monaghan in the Dr McKenna Cup and Ciaran Thompson - by virtue of Naomh Conaill’s success in the Donegal SFC last season - led out the team in Newry against Down.

“I always had the impression that I needed to get my game right first and command the respect of the lads,” McBrearty added. “If you're not playing well, it's going to be very hard to get the respect of the lads.If I get my game right first, I think the rest will look after itself.”