Brendan McDyer

Brendan McDyer
Personal information
Sport Gaelic football
Born 1986 or 1987 (age 37–38)[1]
Club(s)
Years Club
200?–
 Naomh Conaill
Club titles
Donegal titles 7
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2006–
 Donegal

Brendan McDyer (born 1986/7) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Naomh Conaill and, formerly, the Donegal county team. He is one part of the "usually starting trio" for his club that also includes Leo McLoone and Anthony Thompson.[2]

Playing career

McDyer won his first Donegal Senior Football Championship title with his club in 2005. His free in the 2005 final brought that game to a replay, when he scored 0–3 (including one free).[3][4] 2005 was also the year he first played for his club in the senior championship.[1]

Brian McIver called McDyer into the Donegal senior panel in December 2005, following the 2005 Donegal SFC title win.[3][5] When McIver called him into the senior team, McDyer was 18 years of age.[3] McDyer first played for Donegal at senior inter-county level in 2006.[3] He continued to play inter-county football in 2007.[3]

McDyer's club also won the final of the 2010 Donegal Senior Football Championship, with McDyer scoring 0–1 in that game.[6] Naomh Conaill went on to reach the final of the 2010 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship, knocking out Cavan champions Kingscourt, Monaghan champions Clontibret and Tyrone champions Coalisland along the way.[7][8]

Towards the end of the 2012 Donegal Senior Football Championship final, McDyer tried to pass the ball back to goalkeeper Stephen McGrath, but his action caused Naomh Conaill to concede a '45. This was converted by St Eunan's player Mark McGowan, and Naomh Conaill lost the game by one point.[3]

McDyer played for his club in the final of the 2015 Donegal Senior Football Championship. His club also won this game, with McDyer scoring 0–2.[9] Then he played for his club in the final of the 2019 Donegal Senior Football Championship. His club won, following a second replay; McDyer started all three games and, though he scored 0–1 in the first game, he was held scoreless in the second and third.[10] Then he made a substitute appearance for his club in the 2020 Donegal Senior Football Championship final. His club won, following extra-time and a penalty shoot-out.[11]

Then McDyer played for his club in the 2022 Donegal SFC final. His club won, with McDyer scoring 0–3,[1][12][13] though at least one source erroneously said 0–2.[14] He was troubled by injury at the time.[1] On 12 December 2022, McDyer was named as the recipient of the annual Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh.[1][15] RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta announced the decision.[16] McDyer was not expecting to be selected.[17] He received the award at an official function in Letterkenny on the evening of 14 December 2022.[18][19] McDyer played for his club in the 2023 Donegal SFC, when his club won the final again, with McDyer scoring 0–1 in that game.[20][21][22]

Personal life

Though originally from Glenties, as of 2022, McDyer was living in Donegal Town.[1] He is not interested in social media.[23]

Honours

Naomh Conaill
Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Brendan McDyer to receive Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh 2022". 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  2. ^ McLaughlin, Gerry (20 October 2023). "Donegal final set to be mix of pride and pragmatism". The Irish News. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f McNulty, Chris (14 October 2015). "Brendan McDyer keen to banish the ghosts of 2012: 'It toughens you up, stuff like that'". Retrieved 14 October 2015. Never before had Glenties seen departures like it when county training came around with Anthony Thompson, Leon Thompson and Thomas Donoghue also called up.
  4. ^ a b "Historic first title for Naomh Conaill". Irish Independent. 10 October 2005. Retrieved 10 October 2005.
  5. ^ "Donegal boss looks at new players". BBC Sport. 12 December 2005.
  6. ^ a b "McLoone proves too hot". Irish Independent. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  7. ^ "Naomh Conaill's adventure continues with Coalisland test". Donegal Democrat. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  8. ^ Keys, Colm (13 December 2010). "Kernan red card spurs on Cross'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  9. ^ a b Foley, Alan (19 October 2015). "Gutsy Naomh Conaill edge to glory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  10. ^ a b GAME 1: Campbell, Peter (20 October 2019). "Ulster champions Gaoth Dobhair face Donegal decider replay after draw against Naomh Conaill". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 20 October 2019. GAME 2: O'Kane, Cahair (28 October 2019). "Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill proving inseparable". The Irish News. Retrieved 28 October 2019. GAME 3: Campbell, Peter (30 October 2019). "Naomh Conaill prevail in Donegal decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  11. ^ a b Campbell, Peter (14 August 2021). "Naomh Conaill claim Donegal title after penalty shoot-out win against Kilcar". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Naomh Conaill win Donegal SFC title after narrow victory over St Eunan's". The Irish Times. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  13. ^ "'We'll savour this one' — Brendan McDyer on Donegal SFC final win". 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022. The Glenties man kicked three terrific points in the 1–9 to 2–5 win…
  14. ^ Foley, Alan (15 October 2022). "Controversy as Naomh Conaill crowned Donegal kings against 14-man St Eunan's: Shane O'Donnell's sending off was the major talking point after Naomh Conaill's one-point win". The42.ie. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Brendan McDyer wins Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh". Ocean FM. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  16. ^ "Brendan McDyer to receive Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh 2022". 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  17. ^ Comack, Tom (14 December 2022). "Brendan McDyer honoured with Player of the Championship award". Highland Radio. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  18. ^ Campbell, Peter (14 December 2022). "Brendan McDyer presented with his Player of the Year award". Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Brendan McDyer 'honoured' to win Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh". 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  20. ^ a b Campbell, Peter (22 October 2023). "Magnificent seven for Naomh Conaill in Donegal decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Donegal SFC final: Charles McGuinness leads way to Naomh Conaill's seventh title". Irish Independent. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  22. ^ "Naomh Conaill outclass Gaoth Dobhair 1–16 to 1–8 in Donegal Football Final". BBC Sport. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  23. ^ McNulty, Chris (16 October 2022). "'This one's for us': Brendan McDyer savours Naomh Conaill's triumph — Experienced Naomh Conaill forward Brendan McDyer says Saturday's win means more than their other Donegal SFC triumphs". Retrieved 16 October 2022.