By Michael McMullan

CIARÁN Thompson said Patrick McBrearty will be a “major loss” to Donegal after his decision to retire from inter-county action.

The Donegal skipper made the decision to call time on his county career on medical advice with this year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry the last of 157 senior appearances for the county.

“He is definitely a major loss to us now,” Thompson said at Tuesday’s Dr McKenna Cup launch in Armagh.

“It’s so unfortunate for him having to bow out just with the injury but Patrick has been brilliant. He was captain there for the last couple of years and he does bring a serious leadership to the group

“He’s just a phenomenal player, a big match player. You can’t coach that either, he always turns up in the big moments so yeah, he’ll be a miss this year.”

McBrearty came on the scene in 2011, making his debut on the same day he played for Donegal minors in the championship against Armagh.

He played in their attack when Donegal landed their second All-Ireland the following year and has a haul of seven Ulster senior medals, the last two as captain.

Donegal fans will always remember his key plays in crunch moments, coming off the loop to land a killer score. This was typified by his 2021 winner against Derry with virtually the last kick of the game.

“In those big moments, he doesn’t shy away from them,” said Thompson, who played alongside him since coming on the scene.

“He wants to get on the ball; he wants to make it happen and he has done that over the last 13 or 14 years with Donegal so it’s up to someone else now to fill them boots.

“It’s a conveyor belt there now and someone else has to step in and that’s just the challenges we’ll have ahead.”