Patrick McBrearty determined to be ready for Derry and Celtic Park

Patrick McBrearty says he'll do his absolute best to be ready for Derry. 

Two weeks out from their huge Ulster SFC opener away to the champions, the countdown is now well and truly on. 

And it’s also on for the captain who explains he’s in his own personal race against time to be fit to lead the side out at what’s sure to be a cauldron-like Celtic Park. 

McBrearty, who won three provincial titles under McGuinness previously as well as 2012’s All-Ireland, admits that 2023 was rock bottom for him and his teammates. 

But it was low that prompted a desperate approach to McGuinness to make a dramatic return to the Donegal helm.  

“It’s been some turnaround,” he told DonegalLive. “Last year was so tough. Those days, like down in Roscommon and up in Newry, were particularly difficult. 

“I don’t know if you can compare though, this year, because of the personnel we have back. Peadar Mogan, myself and Ryan McHugh weren’t there, the two O’Donnells, Niall and Shane. 

“I think from the Ulster final the year before, where we lost to Derry, there were ten lads not there. So it’s been parked and we’ve moved on”. 

McBrearty, and other senior team members like Hugh McFadden and McHugh, made what must have felt, at the time, like an ambitious approach to McGuinness, calling to his home in Creeslough personally, to see could he be tempted. 

The player says McGuinness had some terms and conditions of his own that were non-negotiable in regards to what he was going to demand from the group. 

“We were at such a low point. We knew as a group, the players we have, we’re up there with anyone in the country. We approached Jim. And it wasn’t just one conversation, there were numerous talks. 

“In fairness to all the lads, what Jim has asked of us, we’ve done. And we’ve all enjoyed it.

“We had some difficult conversations as a group. And Jim had some conditions of his own that he wanted us to agree to. But we really worked hard, throughout the pre-season.

“Getting Jim and those same players back has been massive. There was a real injection, an energy boost from all of that. We’re as ambitious as ever”.

In terms fo his own complaint, the one that saw him limp off early on against Meath in Ballybofey three weeks ago, He said: “It’s a calve injury”. 

“And every day counts now. I’ve different measurements and targets to hit in terms of the medical team. As I hit those, I move onto the next phase.  

“It’s a big two weeks now for myself as well and I’ll do my utmost to make it”.