GAA coach Joe McBrearty in the game of his life

Joe McBrearty, renowned Killybegs Gaelic Football coach, will not forget Christmas 2022 in a hurry.

Two days out, December 23, and a little over three weeks after having a cancerous tumour removed in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Joe got the dreaded news, from consultant Professor Liam Grogan that the cancer had spread.

“It came as a shock and a bolt out of the blue, because the surgery had gone well,” said Joe, though he always knew there was a possibility it would have spread.

“It certainly was not the news I wanted to hear and especially so close to Christmas. But just as from day one when I was diagnosed with the cancer, I decided there and then I was going to fight it and I was going to beat it.”

Joe had been diagnosed with testicular cancer at the end of November and he had surgery at the start of December.

“It all happened pretty fast and Professor Grogan told me after breaking the news that I would undergo chemotherapy treatment early in the new year.

“Professor Brogan has been brilliant and all the staff at Beaumont have been brilliant.

“I was first diagnosed by Professor Diarmuid Smith, the urologist in Beaumont, at the end of November and four days later at the beginning of December I had the surgery.

“Professor Smith advised me to read Lance Armstrong’s book: ‘The Bike: My Journey Back to Life’, to give me an idea of what lay ahead for me”.

The controversial cyclist’s book chronicles his own battle with testicular cancer and his battle back to good health.

“A friend got the book for me and I read it and I have learned a lot and taken great inspiration from it.

“I started the chemo after Christmas and it has been tough and there have been ups and downs but I’m nearly through it.

“Because the chemo weakens the immune system you are very prone to infection and unfortunately I picked up an infection at the end of cycle three and I spent three weeks in hospital.

“Thankfully I’m fine again though I still get very tired at times. I’m off this week but I begin the fourth and final five-day cycle on Monday morning.

“And then it is fingers crossed that the chemo has worked and that Professor Brogan has good news for me this time.”

From day one Joe has spoken openly about the illness. He didn’t want to go away, brood on it or wallow in self pity.

“I decided from the moment I was diagnosed I was not going to hide away and just brood on the Illness and feel sorry for myself.

“Instead I talk openly and freely about it and especially the type of cancer it was because men don’t generally talk openly especially about testicular cancer. It is a taboo topic for a lot of men.”

The 44-year-old’s decision to talk about his illness has prompted a positive response and he admits to being humbled by the response he has received.

“Máire, my partner, and my son Fiachra who is nine, have been a tremendous support and along with my family and friends in Killybegs have been my rock and inspiration to fight the illness.

“But the support I have received from day one - not just from people at home in Killybegs and Donegal but from people at the St Peregrine’s club here in Dublin, and Fingal Ravens from the previous club here in Dublin, has been overwhelming.

“I have also received messages of support from people all over the country north and south, and from America, and they have been a great source of encouragement to me in my battle with the illness. It is all very humbling.”

Joe has managed and coached a number of clubs here in Donegal including his home club Killybegs at all levels from U-10 right up to senior. He is the current manager of St Peregrine’s in the North Dublin suburb of Blanchardstown senior team and is also the club’s full-time coach at all levels.

In the 11 years since he moved to Dublin to live and work, he’s coached Dublin City University College teams at all levels from Freshers right up to Sigerson level.

He was also a Games Promotion Officer for the Dublin GAA, exclusively with the St Margaret’s club, in the north of the city.

One of the leading young coaches in Donegal before he moved to live in Dublin, Joe coached county teams from U-16 right up to senior and managed county teams at minor and U-21.

“St Peregrines have been brilliant.The rest of the senior management team, club officials and senior players have been very supportive. The club ran a fundraising ‘static cycle, run, walk, or row’ for me last Saturday at the clubhouse.

“The run was from the club grounds to Killybegs and back - a round trip of 420 km. It was so successful and because of the huge numbers that took part they did the run three times.

“Fingal Ravens also had a team in the event.”

This Saturday, 2012 Donegal All-Ireland winning captain Michael Murphy is among a host of stars from that triumph that will take part in a fundraising game organised by the Killybegs club, in Fintra. The game is timed for a 3pm throw-in.

Neil and Eamon McGee, Paul Durcan and David Walsh are some of the other names taking part.

“I was very humbled when I heard the club were organising the game and informed me of the players that had committed to taking part in the game. I coached most of that 2012 team at some stage as they came from underage.

“They were all heroes of mine after 2012 and I’m really humbled they are turning up on Saturday. They all have been on to me regularly since I was diagnosed which is a measure of the men they are.

“Unfortunately I can’t be there. I have an appointment with Professor Grogan on Friday and I’m starting chemo on Monday. I don’t want to run the risk of picking up an infection.

“The club has informed me the game is being streamed so I will be watching it on the stream.”