Drumkeen brothers toast national wins in different sports on same day

It was a super Saturday for the McBrearty household in Drumkeen as brothers Niall and Odhrán won national titles in two sports. 

Niall McBrearty captained the Donegal Underage League Under-16s to SFAI Inter-League glory in Limerick while Odhrán McBrearty won gold at the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships in Galway.

They are sons of John and Roisin McBrearty from Drumkeen and are students at St Columba’s College in Stranorlar.

The DUL Under-16s, managed by Darren Toland from Kilmacrennan, held their nerve in a penalty shootout against Cork at the University of Limerick. 

Donegal fell behind in the early exchanges, but Dillon Doherty drew them level. In the dreaded shootout, it was Doherty who converted the winning spot kick.

McBrearty, who plays his football at Cappry Rovers, had the honour of accepting the silverware amid jubilant scenes. 

It wasn’t long after the game when Odhrán McBrearty went under starter’s orders in the intermediate boys race at the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships at the Galway Racecourse in Ballybrit.

Niall McBrearty and Odhrán McBrearty with their medals

The Finn Valley AC athlete, who is coached by Dermot McGranaghan, had two seconds to spare in a cracking race with Andrew Hinds from PBC Cork coming in second and Ben O’Reilly of Douglas CS third.

He also led the St Columba’s College, Stranorlar team featuring Paraic McGettigan (24), Michael Donaghey (54) and Mark Alexander (62) to team silver medals.

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There were only 15 seconds between the top six in the race and McBrearty became only the ninth person to retain the intermediate boys title in the history of the race. He also triumphed at Tymon Park in Tallaght 12 months ago.

It was a nervy watch for mum Roisin, who was huddled around a mobile phone watching a FaceTime of the race from Limerick. The Donegal Underage League team and parents roared Odhrán to his latest success from afar.

“Memories I’ll never forget,” the proud mum says.