Irish name Breandán Ó Sluáin Position Right corner-back Down titles 0 Died 24 March 2016, Atticall | Sport Gaelic football Years Club Years County All irelands 1 | |
Brendan Sloan (1948 – 24 March 2016) was a Northern Irish Gaelic footballer who played as a right corner-back for the Down senior team.
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Born in Atticall, County Down, Sloan first excelled at 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.
Inter-county
Sloan 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.
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 coveted 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. 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.
In 1971 Sloan won a second Ulster medal following a 4-15 to 4-11 defeat of Derry.
Sloan added a Dr. McKenna Cup medal to his collection in 1972 following a 2-13 to 1-6 defeat of Derry.
After losing three successive Ulster finals between 1973 and 1975, Down enjoyed 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.