Jamie Brennan to play his 99th game for Donegal on Sunday in Ulster semi-final

When Jamie Brennan of Réalt na Mara, Bundoran, came on as a substitute in the Division 2 National Football League final in Croke Park on March 31, 2024, he was making his 97th appearance for Dún na nGall in senior competitive inter-county football.  He made his 98th appearance at Celtic Park on April 20, 2024 against Derry.

Here are Fr Seán's statistics for Brennan, ever present since his debut in 2017.

Réalt na Mara

The Réalt na Mara club has produced some of Dún na nGall’s most outstanding footballers – Bernard Brady (1959 – 1969 – 55 appearances); Declan O’ Carroll (1963 – 1973 – 76 appearances); Séamie Granaghan (1965 -1977 – 94 appearances) and Brian McEniff (1961 – 1977 – 99 appearances).  Brian’s is the most annoying statistic, ending up one short of his century.  

So, will Jamie Brennan become the first Réalt na Mara man to reach the 100?  Not quite!  Dónal Reid (1982 – 1994 – 135 appearances) was a Réalt na Mara player when he began his Dún na nGall senior career in the winter of 1982, although most of his football was played with his native Red Hughs. 

The same applies to Matt Gallagher (1981-1995, 147 appearances), who played with Realt Na Mara but mostly with Naomh Brid.

Brian McEniff

If Brian McEniff fell short of the 100 as a player, his astounding career as Dún na nGall senior team manager certainly did not – he managed in four decades, in 21 calendar years, in 245 matches and in 5 separate terms of office.