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]
| 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
editInter-county
editSloan 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
- All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (1): 1968
- Ulster Senior Football Championship (3): 1968, 1971, 1978
- National Football League (1): 1967-68
- Dr McKenna Cup (1): 1972
- Ulster Minor Football Championship (1): 1966
References
edit- ^ McGonagle, Suzanne (25 March 2016). "Down GAA pays tribute to 'playing great' Brendan Sloan". The Irish News. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ "Down legend Brendan Sloan passes away". Hogan Stand. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Carey, Daniel (1 March 2010). "10 Mayo Goals - Best of the rest". The Mayo News. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (25 February 2015). "When Cavan and Down were kings of Ulster". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ Breheny, Martin (29 July 2010). "Down's 100pc record v Kerry". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ "1971 Down dethrone champs". gaa.eir. 11 July 1971. Retrieved 1 April 2016.