Ciarán Brady

Ciarán Brady is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays as a wing back for the Cavan county team. He plays his club football with Arva.^[3]

Ciarán Brady

Personal information
Irish name	Ciarán Ó Brádaigh
Sport	Gaelic football
Position	Wing Back
Born	(1994-04-13) 13 April 1994 (age 30) Cavan, Ireland
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Nickname	Holla[1]
Occupation	Primary school teacher[2]
Club(s)
Years	Club
	Arva
Inter-county(ies)
Years	County
2015–	Cavan
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles	1

Playing career

Club

Brady joined the Arva club at a young age and played with the club at all age levels. Due to low numbers, they often amalgamated with neighbouring club Killeshandra at underage level. The St Joseph's amalgamation reached the final of the Cavan Minor Football Championship in 2010, losing to Cavan Gaels after a replay.^[4][5]

Brady later joined the Arva senior team, and the club reached the final of the Cavan Junior Football Championship in 2013. Arva lost the final by a point to Kill Shamrocks.^[6] Arva were back in the junior final in 2014. Brady lined out at centre back in Arva's 2–11 to 0–8 win over Ballymachugh.^[7]

Promoted to the Cavan Intermediate Football Championship for 2015, Arva reached the final in their first year, with Brady scoring an injury-time goal in the semi-final against Belturbet.^[8] Arva faced Ballyhaise in the final on 4 October, with Brady scoring two points as Arva suffered a 2–13 to 1–14 defeat.^[9] Arva were in a championship final for the fourth consecutive year in 2016, facing Killinkere in the Intermediate final. Brady scored 1–2 as the match ended in a 3–10 to 1–16 draw.^[10] The replay took place on 15 October, Brady scoring two points as Arva were one-point winners.^[11]

Arva were back at junior level in 2022, and reached the final against Drumlane. Brady scored a point and the match was level in injury time, but Drumlane won the match with a last-minute free.^[12] Brady was captain of the team in 2023, and Arva reached the junior final again.^[13] Brady lifted the trophy after Arva's 2–11 to 0–9 win over Knockbride.^[14] Arva went on to beat Ballymaguigan in the quarter-final^[15] and Lisnaskea in the semi-final to qualify for the final of the Ulster Junior Club Football Championship.^[16] Brady scored two points and was man of the match as Arva won the Ulster title with a seven-point win over Blackhill.^[17] Arva went on to reach the final of the All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship with a twelve-point semi-final win over Milltown.^[18] The final took place on 14 January 2024 in Croke Park against Listowel Emmets. Brady scored four points from midfield and was named man of the match as he captained his team to the All-Ireland title.^[19]

In their first year at the intermediate grade in 2024, Arva reached the final against Butlersbridge.^[20] In the final, Brady scored 1–1 in the first half before being subsituted with an injury. Arva went on to win the final by ten points, with Brady captaining his club to back-to-back county titles.^[21]

Inter-county

Minor and under-21

On 17 July 2011, Brady lined out for the Cavan minor team in the Ulster final against Armagh. A 0–12 to 1–6 victory gave Brady an Ulster Minor medal.^[22]

Brady joined the under-21 side in 2013, and started in the Ulster final against Donegal. Cavan were winners on a 0–13 to 1–6 scoreline.^[23] Brady later lined out in the All-Ireland semi-final against Cork, where they suffered a one-point defeat.^[24] Cavan reached the Ulster final again in 2014, facing Donegal once again. Brady was in the half back line as Cavan were 2–6 to 0–8 winners.^[25] Brady later played in the All-Ireland semi-final, scoring a point in Cavan's one-point defeat to eventual champions Dublin.^[26] Brady's under-age career with Cavan came to an end in 2015 after a loss to Donegal in the first round.^[27]

Senior

Brady joined the Cavan senior squad in 2015. On 24 May 2015 he made his championship debut as a substitute against Monaghan in the Ulster championship, scoring a point in the one-point loss.^[28] On 20 June 2015 made his first championship start in a qualifier win against London.^[29] On 3 April 2016, Brady was in the half back line as Cavan beat Galway to earn promotion to Division 1 of the National Football League.^[30] Brady played in the Division 2 final against Tyrone, as Cavan suffered a five-point defeat.^[31]

Ahead of the 2018 season, manager Mattie McGleenan named Brady as vice-captain of the team, with Dara McVeety as captain.^[32] On 1 April, Brady lined out at centre back for the Division 2 final against Roscommon. Brady scored a point as Roscommon won the match by 4–16 to 4–12.^[33]

On 2 June 2019, Brady was sent off in the Ulster semi-final against Armagh. The match finished a draw,^[34] and Brady was suspended for the replay as Cavan reached the Ulster final for the first time since 2001.^[35] On 23 June, Brady started the Ulster final against Donegal as Cavan fell to a five-point defeat.^[36] Cavan were back in the Ulster final in 2020, facing Donegal on 22 November. Brady scored a point as Cavan were 1–13 to 0–12 winners to claim their first Ulster title since 1997.^[37] On 5 December, Brady scored a point in the All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin as Cavan exited the championship.^[38] Brady was nominated for an All Star for the first time at the end of the season.^[39]

On 22 May 2021, in a league match against Longford, Brady was forced off early in the second half with an injury.^[40] It was later revealed to be a cruciate ligament injury and Brady missed the rest of the season.^[41] On 23 April 2022, Brady made his return from injury, coming on as a late substitute in Cavan's Ulster quarter-final win over Antrim.^[42] Cavan went on to play in the Tailteann Cup final against Westmeath, with Brady an unused substitute in the 2–14 to 1–13 loss.^[43] On 1 April 2023, Brady was in the half back line for the Division 3 final against Fermanagh, and was named man of the match in Cavan's 0–16 to 1–7 win.^[44]

Honours

Cavan

• Ulster Senior Football Championship: 2020
• National Football League Division 3: 2023
• National Football League Division 4: 2022
• Ulster Under-21 Football Championship: 2013, 2014
• Ulster Minor Football Championship: 2011

Arva

• Cavan Intermediate Football Championship: 2016, 2024 (c)
• All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship: 2023–24 (c)
• Ulster Junior Club Football Championship: 2023 (c)
• Cavan Junior Football Championship: 2014, 2023 (c)

Individual

• Irish News Ulster All-Star: 2020

References

1. Browne, PJ (27 March 2018). "Cavan Player Explains How He Got One Of The Best Nicknames In GAA". Balls.ie. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
2. Watters, Andy (9 May 2018). "Dedication is what you need says Cavan wing-back Ciaran Brady". The Irish News. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
3. Harrington, John (17 April 2018). "My Club: Ciaran Brady - St. Patrick's, Arvagh". Gaelic Athletic Association. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
4. "MFC: Lazarus-like Joe's deny Gaels". Hogan Stand. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
5. "MFC: Gaels succeed at second attempt". Hogan Stand. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
6. Corrigan, Shane (6 October 2013). "JFC final: Gaffney the hero for Kill". Hogan Stand. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
7. Corrigan, Shane (5 October 2014). "JFC final: Superb Arva triumph over Ballymachugh". Hogan Stand. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
8. "IFC: Brady breaks Belturbet's hearts". Hogan Stand. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
9. Corrigan, Shane (4 October 2015). "IFC final: Ballyhaise hold on to end hoodoo". Hogan Stand. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
10. Corrigan, Shane (3 October 2016). "IFC final: Arva and Killinkere finish all square in thrilling decider". Hogan Stand. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
11. Corrigan, Shane (15 October 2016). "IFC final replay: 33-year wait over for Arva". Hogan Stand. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
12. Fitzpatrick, Paul (8 October 2022). "Connolly leads Drumlane to glory in excellent JFC final". The Anglo-Celt. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
13. Fitzpatrick, Paul (12 October 2023). "'I don't think I've ever been as excited or motivated'". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
14. "Brilliant Arva save their best for the big day with fine win". The Anglo-Celt. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
15. "Cavan champions Arva too strong for Ballymaguigan in Ulster Junior club tie". Derry Journal. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
16. Donohoe, Damien (23 November 2023). "Arva unlock stubborn Lisnaskea defence to secure place in Ulster Final". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
17. Carney, Kevin Óg (26 November 2023). "Ciaran Brady plays captain's role in Arva's Ulster Junior final win over Blackhill". The Irish News. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
18. Keelan, Jason (6 January 2024). "St Patrick's Arva book spot in All-Ireland decider with impressive win over Milltown". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
19. Keane, Paul (14 January 2024). "Brady-inspired Arva make hay after the interval to take All-Ireland JFC spoils". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
20. Fitzpatrick, Paul (8 October 2024). "Arva grind it out in replay". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
21. Fitzpatrick, Paul (13 October 2024). "Arva make it back-to-back county titles with win over the 'Bridge". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
22. "Ulster MFC: Cavan stun Armagh to end 37-year wait". Hogan Stand. 17 July 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
23. O'Toole, Fintan (10 April 2013). "Cavan complete Ulster U21 football 3-in-a-row". The 42. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
24. O'Connell, Cian (20 April 2013). "Cork deny Cavan at the death to book U21 final place". The 42. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
25. Bannon, Orla (9 April 2014). "Cavan seal a fourth successive Ulster U21 football title as they see off Donegal". The 42. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
26. Farrell, Sean (19 April 2014). "McHugh helps Dublin squeak past resolute Cavan and into All-Ireland final". The 42. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
27. Foley, Alan (19 March 2015). "Donegal deliver as Cavan stunned by McHugh's late goal". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
28. Kelly, Niall (24 May 2015). "Monaghan dig deep to avoid an Ulster championship shock against Cavan". The 42. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
29. O'Connell, Cian (20 June 2015). "Cavan cruise to victory over London in Ruislip". Irish Independent. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
30. Fitzpatrick, Paul (3 April 2016). "Cavan back in the top flight after beating Galway". RTÉ. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
31. Keane, Paul (24 April 2016). "Tyrone see off Cavan for silverware". RTÉ. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
32. "Senior Football & Hurling Captains Announced". Cavan GAA. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
33. O'Brien, Kevin (1 April 2018). "Roscommon lift Division 2 title with win over Cavan in eight-goal thriller". The 42. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
34. Bogue, Declan (2 June 2019). "Cavan and Armagh face semi-final replay after thrilling extra-time battle". The 42. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
35. Bogue, Declan (9 June 2019). "Cavan end 18-year wait for Ulster final after pulsating replay win over Armagh". The 42. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
36. Bogue, Declan (23 June 2019). "Clinical Donegal dispatch Cavan to go back-to-back in Ulster". The 42. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
37. Mooney, Francis (22 November 2020). "Cavan shock Donegal to claim Ulster title". RTÉ. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
38. Neville, Conor (5 December 2020). "Dublin beat Cavan at a canter to reach another final". RTÉ. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
39. "2020 PwC All-Stars Football nominations announced". Gaelic Athletic Association. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
40. Fitzpatrick, Paul (22 May 2021). "Second-half surge helps Cavan see off Longford". RTÉ. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
41. Mooney, Francis (22 June 2021). "Cavan boss Graham reveals injury concerns ahead of Tyrone clash". The Irish News. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
42. Fitzpatrick, Paul (23 April 2022). "Classy second half sees Cavan ease past Antrim". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
43. O'Brien, Kevin (9 July 2022). "Westmeath crowned inaugural Tailteann Cup champions after late flurry against Cavan". The 42. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
44. Keane, Paul (1 April 2023). "Cavan secure Fermanagh revenge and back-to-back league crowns". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 April 2023.

Sporting positions
Preceded by Raymond Galligan	Cavan Senior Football joint-captain 2024– With: Padraig Faulkner	Succeeded by Incumbent