Gavin Brennan, 4th Brother in LOI
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Gavin Brennan is the fourth brother from the Brennan family in Drogheda to play in the League of Ireland as he emulates the success of Killian 27 (Bohemians), Seán 25 & Ryan 20 (both ex-Drogheda and now Monaghan United).Only four weeks ago the 23 year old made an impressive debut for Drogheda against Bohemians . Last week Gavin was named “Man of the Match” against Shamrock Rovers by ExtraTime.ie and also featured on the Irish Independent’s and ExtraTime.ie's Team of the Week.
How did you come to sign for Drogheda United?
About six weeks ago I was asked to play a friendly match for Dundalk Reserves by Darius Kierans who’d often seen me play for Drogheda Town. Co-incidentally the friendly was against Drogheda United! I played well and managed to score in a 2-2 draw and immediately afterwards was invited up training by Mick Cooke! Darius was fine about it and wished me all the best!
It was only the week before that you were lining out for the Top Shop Pub team (managed by ex-Ireland and Leeds player Gary Kelly) in the Drogheda Summer League
Yes I played in all the group games in May and June. They’ve done really well since and they beat Cisco’s in the League final on Saturday at Hunky Dory’s Park.
Well you’ve certainly grabbed your chance with both hands! After your outstanding performance against Shamrock Rovers you made the Irish Independent Team of the Week and the ExtraTime declared you “Man of the Match”! That said it was so disappointing not to get anything from that game and also against Sligo Rovers, when we really deserved something from both games.
The whole squad put so much hard work into it and to get nothing out of both was a real sickener. After Friday’s win over Galway, we are back on track and really hope to try and catch UCD.
You played the first half of the friendly game v MK Dons
Yes I enjoyed it but I have to say I found it very physical!
You’re from the Marley Court area of Drogheda. What club did you start off with?
I played the whole way up with Drogheda Boys from 7 to 16 and when I was 17 I played a short while with Drogheda United Reserves under John Carroll.
What positions did you play back then?
I played mainly as a striker with Drogheda Boys and then later played left-wing or left-back.
After that who did you play with?
I spent two years with Duleek in the Meath & District League before signing for Drogheda Town in the Leinster Senior League when I played alongside Gary Kelly
Things moved very fast for you when you made your debut against Bohs. You played really well when you came on as a sub with 25 minutes remaining. You looked like you’d been playing at this level for years!
Well I just see it as a simple game-I passed the ball any chance I got, just tried to do the simple things right! Mick must have been happy enough as he has started me in every game since!
Your dad Eddie Brennan, was a brilliant football player with Boyne Rovers and Northside Blues in the Leinster Senior League, playing until he was 45 years old! He told me once that the secret to your family’s success was plenty of street football! It’s an amazing achievement that all four brothers are playing in the League of Ireland!
Well as kids we always played out on the street from morning till night. You can improve an awful lot if you play football with your friends on the street. Even keeping the ball up off the ground (“Keepie Uppies”), if practiced on a regular basis, can make a serious difference in improving a young player’s skill.
Over the years there were always plenty of talented players from Drogheda that were good enough to play at League of Ireland level but sometimes the party town atmosphere proved irresistible!
Yeah there are plenty of talented players in the town but many prefer to stay in their own comfort zone rather than aim to play at a higher level. For me to play at this level I have to make sacrifices. I don’t go out as much as I used to. When I’ve finished a hard training session I see it very differently nowadays. The body needs time to rest and recover before the next game.
Who would be the main influences on your career so far?
Obviously my mam and dad, Cillian in particular and my other two brothers, ‘Petes’ Brennan and Alan Kelly (Drogheda Town), Darius Kierans and everyone at Drogheda Boys. Then Mick Cooke and Robbie Horgan have been great the whole way here with Drogheda .
What hobbies have you away from football?
I love a game of snooker or a round of golf.
Story editted to correct Killian Brennan name, was previously Cillian in the article
How did you come to sign for Drogheda United?
About six weeks ago I was asked to play a friendly match for Dundalk Reserves by Darius Kierans who’d often seen me play for Drogheda Town. Co-incidentally the friendly was against Drogheda United! I played well and managed to score in a 2-2 draw and immediately afterwards was invited up training by Mick Cooke! Darius was fine about it and wished me all the best!
It was only the week before that you were lining out for the Top Shop Pub team (managed by ex-Ireland and Leeds player Gary Kelly) in the Drogheda Summer League
Yes I played in all the group games in May and June. They’ve done really well since and they beat Cisco’s in the League final on Saturday at Hunky Dory’s Park.
Well you’ve certainly grabbed your chance with both hands! After your outstanding performance against Shamrock Rovers you made the Irish Independent Team of the Week and the ExtraTime declared you “Man of the Match”! That said it was so disappointing not to get anything from that game and also against Sligo Rovers, when we really deserved something from both games.
The whole squad put so much hard work into it and to get nothing out of both was a real sickener. After Friday’s win over Galway, we are back on track and really hope to try and catch UCD.
You played the first half of the friendly game v MK Dons
Yes I enjoyed it but I have to say I found it very physical!
You’re from the Marley Court area of Drogheda. What club did you start off with?
I played the whole way up with Drogheda Boys from 7 to 16 and when I was 17 I played a short while with Drogheda United Reserves under John Carroll.
What positions did you play back then?
I played mainly as a striker with Drogheda Boys and then later played left-wing or left-back.
After that who did you play with?
I spent two years with Duleek in the Meath & District League before signing for Drogheda Town in the Leinster Senior League when I played alongside Gary Kelly
Things moved very fast for you when you made your debut against Bohs. You played really well when you came on as a sub with 25 minutes remaining. You looked like you’d been playing at this level for years!
Well I just see it as a simple game-I passed the ball any chance I got, just tried to do the simple things right! Mick must have been happy enough as he has started me in every game since!
Your dad Eddie Brennan, was a brilliant football player with Boyne Rovers and Northside Blues in the Leinster Senior League, playing until he was 45 years old! He told me once that the secret to your family’s success was plenty of street football! It’s an amazing achievement that all four brothers are playing in the League of Ireland!
Well as kids we always played out on the street from morning till night. You can improve an awful lot if you play football with your friends on the street. Even keeping the ball up off the ground (“Keepie Uppies”), if practiced on a regular basis, can make a serious difference in improving a young player’s skill.
Over the years there were always plenty of talented players from Drogheda that were good enough to play at League of Ireland level but sometimes the party town atmosphere proved irresistible!
Yeah there are plenty of talented players in the town but many prefer to stay in their own comfort zone rather than aim to play at a higher level. For me to play at this level I have to make sacrifices. I don’t go out as much as I used to. When I’ve finished a hard training session I see it very differently nowadays. The body needs time to rest and recover before the next game.
Who would be the main influences on your career so far?
Obviously my mam and dad, Cillian in particular and my other two brothers, ‘Petes’ Brennan and Alan Kelly (Drogheda Town), Darius Kierans and everyone at Drogheda Boys. Then Mick Cooke and Robbie Horgan have been great the whole way here with Drogheda .
What hobbies have you away from football?
I love a game of snooker or a round of golf.
Story editted to correct Killian Brennan name, was previously Cillian in the article
About Paul Holland
Paul Holland has been the Half-Time Co-ordinator at Drogheda United for the past five years and has produced two DVDs for the club in 2006 and 2007. Paul is also the Meath & Leinster Co-ordinator … View Full Profile