BEFORE a ball has even been kicked in this year’s Championship, Donegal’s hopes have been dealt a blow with reports that Stephen McBrearty plans to spend the summer in the USA.
According to a story in the Donegal Democrat, the young Kilcar star has opted off the Tír Chonaill panel, who will begin their tilt for Ulster and All-Ireland glory with a tie against Antrim in Ballybofey next Sunday.
The younger brother of Patrick McBrearty was expected to fill at least some of the void left by the retirement of a number of Donegal veterans at the end of last year’s Championship, but it appears the lure of a summer in the States has proved too much for him this year.
Although his game time was limited during Donegal’s National League campaign, manager Rory Gallagher had suggested the younger McBrearty was on the verge of “playing consistently” for the county.
