Donegal captain Patrick McBrearty has retired from inter-county football.
The decision was reached on medical advice given the sustained recurrence of a knee injury which has hindered the Kilcar clubman in recent seasons.
Patrick retires from the inter-county game having made his own piece of history last season winning a seventh Ulster senior medal, a record for a Donegal footballer. He has also an All-Ireland medal from 2012, has represented Ireland on three occasions and has been a benchmark for excellence over the course of a distinguished 15 year career.
Patrick has made a staggering 167 appearances for Donegal in his long career, 82 of those in championship.
Paying tribute, Donegal GAA County Board Chairperson, Mary Coughlan said:
“Patrick has had an extraordinary career and has set the bar extremely high for the next generation. He’s been a tremendous ambassador for Donegal GAA and has carried himself with dignity both on and off the field. His retirement leaves a great void but the player has been plagued by injury in recent seasons.
“Of course, we must also remember that Patrick joined an elite group back in 2011 when he played county minor and senior championship football on the same day in Ballybofey against Antrim while still a secondary school student in Carrick. It is fitting that leaves with a record haul of medals and since being appointed captain in 2022, he has always led by example and worn the county jersey with fierce pride and distinction”, she concluded.
Patrick has made a staggering 167 appearances for Donegal in his long career, 82 of those in championship.
