By Michael McMullan

KILCAR have been preparing without All-Ireland winner Patrick McBrearty this season but manager Mark Sweeney hopes the former county captain is back for 2027.

McBrearty retired from intercounty action on medical advice at the end of 2025 after a stellar career.

He was used as an impact player from the bench as Donegal reached last year’s All-Ireland final.

After a recurrence of a knee injury, he called time on his intercounty career but has yet to return to club action.

Kilcar open their Donegal Championship campaign away to Ardara this weekend before welcoming recently crowned league champions Four Masters.

“We haven’t had Patrick at all, he’s still looking after that injury,” Sweeney said. “It’s a massive pity for him because that he’s one player that, once he’s any chance of playing, would play.

“To not be fit to play for the club once you retire from the county, it’s difficult. He’s going to make his way back and hopefully he’ll make his way back for next year for Kilcar but this year is going to be too soon.”

One of the familiar themes in statements from county players stepping away is the importance of giving some dedicated time back to their club. Sweeney is hopeful McBrearty’s plan will come to fruition at some stage.

Quality

“With Paddy’s quality, from a manager point of view, I were hopeful at some stage he was going to ring and say he was fit to play. The championship is going to come too soon. He was getting back running but we’ll have to hold out for another while for him.

“For Paddy’s sake, we just hope he does get back and play for a club. For a man who’s given so much to county and club over the years, it would be a pity if he didn’t.”

The Donegal Championship gets underway this weekend. All clubs in the Dr Maguire Cup race play four round-robin games with the top four teams advancing to the quarter-finals.

After that, the next eight teams go into preliminary quarter-finals. Holders Naomh Conaill host Downings on Saturday.

Kieran Donnelly’s first championship game as St Eunan’s manager is also on Saturday, at home in O’Donnell Park against Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon.

On paper, the tie of the round is the derby clash of Termon and Glenswilly.