Brendan Sloan (1948 – 24 March 2016) was a Northern Irish Gaelic footballer who played as a right corner-back for the Down senior team.[1][2][3]

Brendan Sloan
Personal information
Irish name Breandán Ó Sluáin
Sport Gaelic football
Position Right corner-back
Born 1948
Atticall, County Down, Northern Ireland
Died 24 March 2016 (aged 67)
Atticall, County Down, Northern Ireland
Club(s)
Years Club
Atticall
Club titles
Down titles 0
Inter-county(ies)
Years County Apps (scores)
1967–1978
Down 32 (0–00)
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 3
All-Irelands 1
NFL 1

Born in Atticall, County Down, Sloan first played competitive Gaelic football in his youth. He became involved with the Atticall club at juvenile levels before eventually enjoying a lengthy career at senior level.

Sloan made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Down minor team in 1966. An All-Ireland runner-up in this grade, he subsequently joined the Down under-21 team. Sloan made his senior début during the 1967 championship. He went on to play a key role during a successful era, and won one All-Ireland medal, three Ulster medals and one National League medal.

Throughout his inter-county career Sloan made 32 championship appearances. He retired from inter-county football following the conclusion of the 1978 championship.

Playing career

edit

Inter-county

edit

Sloan first played for Down as a member of the minor team in 1966. He won an Ulster medal that year following a 1–12 to 1–9 defeat of reigning All-Ireland champions Derry. On 25 September 1966, Down faced Mayo in the All-Ireland final. A goal by J. J. Timoney after 21 minutes gave Mayo a boost and they eventually secured a 1–12 to 1–8 defeat of Down.[4]

On 11 June 1967, Sloan made his senior championship début in a 3–9 to 1-10 Ulster quarter-final defeat of Derry.

Sloan enjoyed his first senior success in 1968. A 2–14 to 2–11 defeat of Kildare gave him a National Football League medal. Later that year, he won his first Ulster medal as Down defeated reigning champions Cavan by 0–16 to 1–8.[5] On 22 September 1968, Down faced Kerry in the All-Ireland final. Seán O'Neill got the inside of his boot to a rebounding ball for a Down goal after just 6 minutes. John Murphy struck for another following confusion in the Kerry goalmouth. Brendan Lynch's goal from a close-in free in the 59th minute came too late as Down secured a 2–12 to 1–13 victory and an All-Ireland medal for Sloan.[6]

In 1971 Sloan won a second Ulster medal following a 4–15 to 4–11 defeat of Derry.[7]

Sloan added a Dr McKenna Cup medal to his collection in 1972 following a 2–13 to 1–6 defeat of Derry.[citation needed]

After losing three successive Ulster finals between 1973 and 1975, Down experienced a resurgence in 1978 as Sloan was in the twilight of his career. A 2–19 to 2–12 defeat of Cavan gave him a third and final Ulster medal. He retired from inter-county football shortly after this victory.[citation needed]

Honours

edit
Down

References

edit
  1. ^ McGonagle, Suzanne (25 March 2016). "Down GAA pays tribute to 'playing great' Brendan Sloan". The Irish News. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  2. ^ "Down legend Brendan Sloan passes away". Hogan Stand. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  3. ^ Bagnall, Tony (25 March 2016). "Sad days for Down gaels with passing of Brendan Sloan and Eugene Treanor". The Irish News. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  4. ^ Carey, Daniel (1 March 2010). "10 Mayo Goals - Best of the rest". The Mayo News. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  5. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (25 February 2015). "When Cavan and Down were kings of Ulster". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  6. ^ Breheny, Martin (29 July 2010). "Down's 100pc record v Kerry". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  7. ^ "1971 Down dethrone champs". gaa.eir. 11 July 1971. Retrieved 1 April 2016.