McBrearty grounded, but daring to dream

There have been 124 All-Ireland football champions proclaimed over the course of three different centuries but Paddy McBrearty believes Donegal’s would rank as the greatest of them all were they to claim Sam Maguire this year.

That’s a bold assertion and one that could generate a full winter of bar stool bickering, but it is easy see why the youngster would be prepared to make such a statement given the route laid out before Jim McGuinness’ squad.

For the second year in succession, they have thumbed their noses at history books which lay bare the difficulties involved for teams asked to start their summers at the Ulster Championship’s preliminary stage.