Donegal captain Patrick McBrearty has retired from inter-county soccer on medical recommendation.

A press release issued by his county on Monday defined that the choice for the 32-year-old to name it a day had been taken in gentle of “the sustained recurrence of a knee damage which has hindered the Kilcar clubman in latest seasons”.

Throughout a distinguished 15-year profession, McBrearty gained seven Ulster Senior Championship medals, a report for a Donegal footballer.

He was an All-Eire winner in 2012 and represented Eire thrice in worldwide guidelines matches.

His tally of Donegal appearances stands at 167, with 82 of these amassed in Championship matches.

The ahead performed in July’s All-Eire closing defeat by Kerry, changing Oisin Gallen after 49 minutes of the Croke Park contest.

Paying tribute to McBrearty, County Board chairperson, Mary Coughlan, mentioned that he “has had a rare profession and has set the bar extraordinarily excessive for the following technology”.

“He is been an incredible ambassador for Donegal GAA and has carried himself with dignity each on and off the sphere. His retirement leaves a fantastic void however the participant has been stricken by damage in latest seasons.”

“It’s becoming that he leaves with a report haul of medals and since being appointed captain in 2022, he has all the time led by instance and worn the county jersey with fierce pleasure and distinction,” she concluded.