Clare colossus Gary Brennan has retired from inter-county football.
Although he failed to win any major silverware since being handed his debut by the late Páidí Ó Sé back in 2007, Brennan carved out a reputation as one of the finest midfielders of his generation.
Having been rooted in Division Four during the early days of Brennan’s career, Clare made significant strides under Colm Collins in recent years as they climbed to Division Two with succession promotions in 2016 and have remained there since.
Also in 2016, Clare reached the All-Ireland quarter-final in what was their best Championship run in the qualifier era. The defeat to Kerry was their first Championship game at Croke Park since 1992, while Brennan earned an All Star nomination for his efforts that season.
He also represented Ireland in the 2015 and ‘17 International Rules series and, though he plays his club football with Clondegad, he has won county and provincial hurling titles with Ballyea and attracted the interest of the Clare hurling management at stages.
Brennan had initially intended to sit out the 2020 season in order to go travelling but after the spread of Covid-19 put paid to those plans, he rejoined the squad ahead of the resumption of inter-county action last autumn.
However, he has confirmed to the Clare Echo that he will not be returning for the 2021 campaign.
