Teenage star McBrearty’s new goal is Leaving Cert points

DONEGAL footballer Patrick McBrearty swapped the kitbag for the schoolbag yesterday as the 18-year old returned to school to begin his Leaving Certificate year.

Just 48 hours after he played for Donegal in Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Dublin, McBrearty was back at Carrick VS to begin the training that he hopes will result in points next summer. The Kilcar lad turned 18 earlier this month and has had the summer of his dreams — helping Donegal to win an Ulster SFC title for the first time in 19 years in July, just two months after being drafted into the panel by Jim McGuinness. He made his senior debut in May as a sub against Antrim, having played a full game for the minors earlier that day.

Carrick VS deputy principal Mary Doherty said: “It is testament to Patrick as a person. You need a certain level of maturity to play at such a level and he showed he has that. We’re all very proud of him and it was great to see him.

Meanwhile All-Ireland U21 winning boss Alan Mulholland looks set to get a clear run to take over as Galway senior football manager. Mulholland, who managed Galway to the All-Ireland minor title in 2007 and the U-21 crown earlier this year, is the only man nominated ahead of this evening’s deadline.

There was speculation Sligo manager Kevin Walsh or former Offaly boss Gerry Fahy might be in running, but clubs will need to nominate them ahead of this evening’s deadline.

However, while clubs will not be able nominate after this evening’s deadline, Galway football board will able to suggest a candidate if they so wish. However, that seems highly unlikely and Mulholland is the odds-on favourite to take over from Tomás Ó Flatharta and become Galway’s fourth manager in as many years.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the Mayo GAA Board has announced he will be stepping down from his full-time position later this year – and will be replaced by two people.

Sean Feeney, who has filled the role of County Secretary since 1995, must vacate the role as he turns 65 on November 15.

This is to comply with a GAA rule that governs all full-time officials, and states that they must have left their positions when they reach 65 years of age.

However, the Mayo GAA Board has taken the decision to replace Feeney with a voluntary secretary, plus a full-time administrator who will be based at McHale Park, Castlebar.

“The role is going to change,” explained Feeney, who has worked for Mayo GAA in a full-time capacity for the last three years.

“It’s going to revert back to a part-time, voluntary secretary and a full-time administrator which will be part-funded by Croke Park. The Mayo GAA executive seem to be happy to go that route. The role has become more and more demanding with every year and there’s a lot more paperwork to be done. It’s a young person’s job now.”

Feeney was one of the main driving forces behind the Mayo GAA Board’s recent €16m redevelopment of McHale Park, Castlebar.

A loan of approximately €10m was secured for the ambitious project, and is currently being repaid.

Most of the development work has been finished at the stadium. However, a state-of-the-art broadcast tower is currently not in use as it has not yet been modified in line with planning regulations.

“I’ve been thinking about stepping down for the last couple of years anyway,” said Sean Feeney.

” I would like to have finished the McHale Park project but that’s unlikely to happen before November.

“Hopefully, we may get the development work completed before then but we’ll have to see.”

Feeney, who is well-known for his outspoken views and the straight-talking nature of his annual report, was involved in four All-Ireland senior finals with Mayo during his time in the administrative role.