There are few better footballers to watch.
When on form, even the best defenders in the game will struggle to cope with his speed, strength, low centre of gravity, that wand of a left foot, those silky hands and his all-round explosiveness – Jesus, he has it all.
He was up against it on Sunday, marking Slaughtneil’s teak-tough defender, Brendan Rodgers, and the Derryman had the better of their duel in the early stages of Saturday night’s Ulster club semi-final in Omagh.
Rodgers wasn’t the only one winning his duel. Slaughtneil were rampant, and exploded out of the blocks to a 0-6 to 0-1 lead after fifteen minutes of the game.
Considering Slaughtneil’s experience at this level, you worried for Kilcar, you worried that this was going to be a rout.
Not on Paddy McBrearty’s watch, and he near single-handedly halted the Derry side’s momentum, and dragged his men back into the game.
It wasn’t long before McBrearty’s luscious left leg was swinging into gear, and the Slaughtneil defence were terrified.
Kilcar fed their target man, and the Derry lads tried standing off him, they tried getting tight to him, they weren’t able to manage him.
He notched his first from play in the 16th minute, doubled his tally in the 17th, and by half-time he had three from play and two frees, and had Kilcar in front.
A whole lot of people were raving.
https://twitter.com/CahalCarvill/status/929425625076641792
https://twitter.com/paulmaloney_10/status/929421789264048128
https://twitter.com/CX2DAD/status/929426063066877953
All the talk about Bundee Aki all week¬ mention kind of Paddy McBrearty🔥🔥🔥
— Barry Farrelly (@FarrellyBaz20) November 11, 2017
Very good game. #gaa kilcar one up at half time. Paddy McBrearty having a stormer. https://t.co/30MsFDTEtL
— Kieran (@bobdebilde) November 11, 2017
Few footballers better to watch than Paddy McBrearty. Absolute class.
— Niall McCoy (@McCoyNiall) November 11, 2017
What could the men in maroon do? At times the 24-year-old held his position and from there he was winning possession. Then, seconds later he would roam out the field and offer himself to his teammates, and slot them over from out the field.
Leading by one at half-time, Kilcar would have felt they could kick on and win this one, especially considering the missed goal chances they had in the first 30 minutes.
Slaughtneil showed just why they’re on course for their third Ulster title in four years, with their irrepressible direct running style, and ruthlessness in front of goal, the difference between the sides.
On top of that, their goalkeeper, Antoin McMullan, was displaying reflexes similar to Darren Randolph’s in Copenhagen, while at the other end of the field, corner forward Christopher Bradley was a constant menace.
Comghairdeas Christopher Bradley. Loach na himeartha AIB/TG4
Beidh Slaughtneil bródúil asat. @SlaughtneilGAA pic.twitter.com/ZMFQk3uwtL— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 11, 2017
They kicked on to win by six, on a scoreline of 2-17 to 0-17. Paddy McBrearty ended his day with 0-10, with five of the finest coming from open play.
Both sides can hold their heads high, after a producing a mighty spectacle of football. Slaughtneil will take some stopping, though.
