Donegal captain Patrick McBrearty announces retirement from inter-county football

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.

McBrearty 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. The 32-year-old was also an All-Ireland winner with Donegal in 2012, having played both minor and senior on the same day in 2011 against Antrim. 

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He made 167 appearances for Donegal in his long career, 82 of those in the championship and represented Ireland on three occasions in the International Rules Series. 

Paying tribute, 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."