Jamie Brennan
Personal information
Irish name Jamie Ó Braonáin[1]
Sport Gaelic football
Position Forward
Born 1996 (age 27–28)
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Occupation Teacher
Club(s)
Years Club
2013–
 Réalt na Mara (F)
Aodh Ruadh (H)
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2017–
 Donegal
Ulster titles 2

Jamie Brennan (born 1996) is an Irish Gaelic footballer and hurler who plays football for Réalt na Mara and the Donegal county team, and has hurled for Aodh Ruadh.

Family and education

His mother Jess is from County Sligo. His father is from Bundoran.[2] He is not related to Paul, with whom he has lined out for club and county.[3]

Brennan has completed a degree in human nutrition at Institute of Technology, Sligo.[4][5] He initially studied in Galway but moved to Sligo so as to be nearer Donegal, and financed his studies by working in Bundoran's Great Northern Hotel.[6]

Playing career

Youth

Brian McEniff, a Bundoran local, first encountered Brennan while coaching an under-12 side. Brennan, nine and skinny at the time, joined in and — in spite of McEniff's reservations — Donegal's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winning manager from 1992 was surprised to find someone of this age to possess such speed and skill as he observed being displayed by Brennan. McEniff later recalled how — though only aged nine — he recognised Brennan as "a special talent".[7]

Brennan was a dual player for his county at minor level by the age of 17.[7] However, he had to play hurling with Aodh Ruadh in Ballyshannon as Réalt na Mara did not offer the sport.[8] At the same age he was a single figure handicap golfer at Bundoran Golf Club (see List of links golf courses#Ireland — "North West" section).[7]

Brennan also played association football at youth level with Erne Wanderers, whose coach described him as: "Naturally gifted… there was no coaching in him at all… one of the best finishers I've ever coached".[7] Several League of Ireland clubs — among them Derry City, Finn Harps and Sligo Rovers — expressed interest.[7]

Brennan watched on from Hill 16 as Donegal won the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, while he was part of the minor side that preceded the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final which Donegal also contested.[6]

Club

Brennan won the Donegal Intermediate Football Championship with Réalt na Mara in 2015, setting up the first goal and scoring the second of his team's four goals in the final before being substituted in the first half after sustaining a hamstring injury.[9]

He had scored a goal in the quarter-final win over Naomh Bríd and was also central to the club's semi-final defeat of Aodh Ruadh.[10]

Inter-county

Minor

Brennan, playing under his future senior manager Declan Bonner, won the 2014 Ulster Minor Football Championship title with Donegal, scoring a late fisted goal and two points in the final against Armagh.[11] He also played in Donegal's four-point All-Ireland minor final defeat to Kerry at Croke Park in 2014, scoring a point and also a goal at a critical stage in the game.[12]

Under-21

Brennan won an Ulster Under-21 Football Championship with Donegal in 2017. He set up an important goal for Lorcan Connor to finish in the final against Derry, dribbling the ball in a soccer-style run towards the opposing goalkeeper. Brennan explained his thought process at the time as critical to the creation of the move: "There was a kick-out and it bounced once and I flicked it on, and everything opened up. I could feel the boy up me hole so I booted it on, took a big touch and flew on, and I didn't know if he was still behind me. So I said 'if I pick this up, I'm going to fall straight on my face', so I kept going and then I was in on the goalie, nearly one-on-one, so a man came to me so I side-footed it over to Lorcan and he had an open net".[6]

Senior

Brennan first featured for his county at senior level under the management of Rory Gallagher. He made his first league start for Donegal against Kerry in the opening round of the 2017 National Football League.[13] He made his championship debut against Antrim later that year.[6][14] He scored a goal and a point.[15]

Noted for his direct pace, Brennan himself has noted that he arrived into the team as very light in weight, was initially reluctant to participate in gym sessions due to his concerns about it causing him to lose his speed but — having had the science of it explained to him — he began and found it did not limit his pace.[4]

With his former minor manager Declan Bonner succeeding Gallagher in late 2017, Brennan continued to prosper. He scored a goal after 28 minutes against Monaghan during the 2018 National Football League fixture at St Tiernach's Park in Clones, as well as two points in the same game.[16]

Brennan started and scored a point in the final as Donegal won the 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship.[17] He had started all his team's earlier championship matches that year, scoring two points in the preliminary round against Cavan, one point in the quarter-final against Derry and a goal and three points in the semi-final against Down.[18][19][20]

Brennan scored a vital three points from play as Donegal won by the same score in their opening fixture of the 2019 National Football League against Clare at Cusack Park in Ennis.[21] In Donegal's league meeting with Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn, Brennan scored a goal and two points.[22] In their next league game, against Kildare, Brennan scored a goal and a point.[23] This earned Donegal promotion to the top flight and, in the National Football League Division 2 Final against Meath at Croke Park, Brennan scored a further two points and another crucial goal that gave him team the lead for the first time; the game ended in a two-point win for Donegal.[24]

Brennan started the final of the 2019 Ulster Senior Football Championship, which Donegal also won with Brennan's contributions including four points and a solo goal after a long run through the Cavan defence, momentarily appearing to lose the ball, only to boot it back past the goalkeeper and into the net.[25] He also scored four points (including his team's crucial opening score) against Fermanagh in the quarter-final, then scored four points, a fourth minute goal and hit the post in his team's semi-final win over Tyrone.[26][27]

After the 2019 Ulster final defeat of Cavan, the team watched their win over the same side from 2018. Patrick McBrearty noted Brennan's bulkier physique in 2019.[5]

Kicking style

Brennan uses noticeably little back lift when kicking the ball. He says it is not a technique he practises.[28]

Honours

Donegal
Réalt na Mara
Individual
  • All Star: 0
    • Nominated in 2019[29]
  • GAA/GPA All Stars Player of the Month: June 2019[4][30]
  • GAA.ie Footballer of the Week: June 2019[31]

References

  1. ↑ "Two changes for clash with Roscommon". Donegal News. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. ↑ Brennan's mother described herself as "a Sligo woman" while Marty Morrissey interviewed the Brennans on the Sunday evening of his second Ulster senior final victory. RTÉ News: Six One. 23 June 2019. Same source had his father announcing he was "Bundoran born and bred". Video footage included with this article.
  3. ↑ RTÉ commentary when Paul Brennan appeared as a substitute during the Ulster senior final. The Sunday Game. 23 June 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 Archer, Kenny (11 July 2019). "Donegal's Jamie Brennan an award-winning shooting star in June". The Irish News. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  5. 1 2 Foley, Alan (11 July 2019). "How Brennan became a real Donegal goal threat". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Stapleton, Shane (30 June 2017). "Jamie Brennan talks management, college and dreams with Donegal". Allied Irish Banks. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 McIntyre, Niall (24 June 2019). "'His heart is with Donegal' - multi-talented Brennan doing Bundoran proud". JOE.ie. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  8. ↑ Foley, Alan (11 February 2016). "Interview: Séan McVeigh targets further progress for Donegal hurlers in 2016". Retrieved 11 February 2016. Colm Kelly and Jamie Brennan — from Ballyshannon and Bundoran respectively — both hurl for Aodh Ruadh having represented Donegal footballers all the way to the 2014 All-Ireland Minor final.
  9. 1 2 McNulty, Chris (25 October 2015). "Bundoran show no mercy to crush Naomh Colmcille's dreams". Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  10. ↑ McNulty, Chris (28 October 2015). "All Sports Donegal Intermediate Championship: Team of the Year". Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Donegal minors complete first part of historic double for county: First-half scoring blitz ensures a deserved victory over Armagh for Declan Bonner's side". The Irish Times. 20 July 2014.
  12. 1 2 Kelly, Niall (21 September 2014). "Kerry end 20-year wait for All-Ireland minor glory". The42.ie. Retrieved 21 September 2014. But Jamie Brennan threw Donegal a lifeline in a dramatic finale when he fired in the game's only goal on 51 minutes…
  13. ↑ O'Brien, Kevin (3 February 2017). "Underage Kerry stars make the jump to senior as 4 league starting debuts handed out". The42.ie. Retrieved 3 February 2017. Jason McGee, Michael Langan and Jamie Brennan will make their senior debuts for Donegal, while Caolon[sic] Ward and Paul Brennan are set to start a competitive fixture for the first time.
  14. ↑ Doggett, Eamon; Byrne, Cormac (21 May 2017). "Donegal v Antrim as it happened: Updates from the Ulster Football Championship - The sides clash at MacCumhaill Park at 4pm today". Retrieved 21 May 2017. Donegal will be heavy favourites and will field four debutants in Caolan Ward (St. Eunan's), Jason McGee (Cloughaneely), Michael Carroll (Gaoth Dobhair) and Jamie Brennan (Bundoran).
  15. ↑ Foley, Alan (21 May 2017). "Paddy McGrath among the goalscorers as Donegal blitz Antrim to advance in Ulster: Jamie Brennan and Paddy McBrearty hit the other goals for Rory Gallagher's side". The42.ie. Retrieved 21 May 2017. A Jamie Brennan goal three minutes before half-time set Donegal on their way… Brennan fired over a fine point late in the half to give Donegal a 1-8 to 0-6 half-time lead.
  16. ↑ "Monaghan ease past relegation-threatened Donegal". RTÉ Sport. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018. Donegal though, were dangerous especially on counter attacks with Jamie Brennan testing Rory Beggan twice before ultimately making the breakthrough for an opportunist goal on 28 minutes to level the match. He then went on to restore Donegal to the lead with a good point.
  17. 1 2 Mooney, Francis (24 June 2018). "Energetic Donegal end Fermanagh's Ulster title dream". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  18. ↑ McNulty, Chris (13 May 2018). "Ulster SFC: Donegal too good for Cavan". Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  19. ↑ Mooney, Francis (27 May 2018). "McBrearty excels to fire Donegal past Derry". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  20. ↑ Mooney, Francis (10 June 2018). "14-man Donegal cruise past Down into Ulster decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  21. ↑ Lynch, Derrick (27 January 2019). "Missing a host of regulars, Donegal come away from Clare with victory: Declan Bonner's side did just about enough to claim their first win of the league campaign". The42.ie. Retrieved 27 January 2019. Clare then struck two in a row through Dermot Coughlan and David Tubridy to leave just the minimum between them, with Donegal replying Jamie Brennan with a tidy finish from a tight angle… A quick fire double before the break through Jason McGee and Niall O'Donnell saw Donegal in front by 0–10 to 0–8 as they headed for the dressing rooms. Clare hit the opening three points of the second period with Tubridy (2) and [Gary] Brennan on target to send them into the lead, but Donegal were quick to reply with four in a row thanks to a brace from Jamie Brennan along with a [Caolan] McGonagle free and a fine effort from [Jason] McGee.
  22. ↑ Hurley, Denis (16 March 2019). "Cork on brink of drop to Division 3 as Donegal power home". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 16 March 2019. After points from Daire Ó Baoill and Michael Murphy, Luke Connolly's free did push Cork five ahead again but four in a row — two from Murphy and one each for Ryan McHugh and Jamie Brennan - left Declan Bonner's side just one behind, by the 52nd minute… Exploiting the space, Donegal hit Cork on the break and… Caolán McGonagle forced a turnover deep in home territory and set up Brennan for a palmed goal.
  23. ↑ Branigan, Peter (24 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass fires Donegal back to top flight". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2019. Just like in Cork, Jamie Brennan had the opening point with just over a minute on the clock… Adam Tyrell and Ryan McHugh traded points before Jason McGee put Jamie Brennan through and he found the Kildare net on 47 minutes to stretch the lead to 1–16 to 0–4.
  24. 1 2 O'Brien, Kevin (30 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass helps Donegal to Division 2 glory after comeback win over Meath: 23,644 supporters watched Donegal enjoy a two-point victory over the Royals". The42.ie. Retrieved 30 March 2019. The man-of-the-match also set-up Jamie Brennan's 57th minute goal, which pushed the Ulster champions into the lead for the first time in the game… It left the Ulster side a single point behind, 1–14 to 0–16, with 15 minutes remaining. Then Gallen and Murphy combined to set-up Brennan, who drilled past Andrew Colgan from close-range.
  25. 1 2 Sweeney, Peter (23 June 2019). "Donegal power past Cavan to claim Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  26. ↑ Mooney, Francis (26 May 2019). "Donegal overcome Fermanagh in Ulster arm-wrestle". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 May 2019. The suffocation continued and the frustration grew as the half progressed, moving into the second quarter with Donegal still registering zero on the score-board. Jamie Brennan final got them off the mark, and McBrearty tapped over a free to level on 20 minutes.
  27. ↑ Mooney, Francis (8 June 2019). "Donegal power past Tyrone to make Ulster decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2019. Brennan was proving too hot to handle for Michael McKernan, and he stole away again to get on the end of a Paddy McBrearty assist, but fired a fierce shot against a post — a real let-off for the Red Hands…
  28. ↑ Craig, Frank (12 July 2019). "Jamie Brennan a marked man". Donegal News. p. 75. His kicking style — where very little back lift is used — has also come under the microscope. He seems to snap at the ball and his shot is away without ever having really lined it up in the first place… 'Its not something I practise… I'd never practise kicking a ball like that'.
  29. ↑ O'Toole, Fintan (27 September 2019). "13 players from Dublin as 11 counties feature in 2019 All-Star football nominations: Kerry, Donegal, Mayo, Tyrone, Meath, Roscommon, Armagh, Clare, Cavan and Cork also have nominees". The42.ie. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  30. ↑ McNulty, Chris (10 July 2019). "Player of the Month gong for Donegal star Jamie Brennan". Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  31. ↑ "Jamie Brennan is the GAA's Player of the Week". Highland Radio. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
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