JAMIE Brennan may have been red-hot in June but a missed penalty back in February was one of the inspirations for his fine Championship form.
The Bundoran man was voted PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Month for June after scoring 2-7 in Ulster SFC wins over Tyrone and Cavan, but he recalled a failure to score against Tipperary in a Division Two loss.
Asked what he'd done over the winter to bring about such an improvement in his game, he said: “Well, what motivates you over the winter is that you are always trying to better yourself.
“At the start of the year I missed a penalty against Tipperary, which was saved, and we lost the game and that drives you on to improve constantly.
“And then you have the likes of Patrick McBrearty and Michael [Murphy] who are a great example and whatever they are doing, you want to be doing too."
Brennan has watched Donegal in two All-Ireland Finals, on the second occasion having been on the pitch himself earlier in the day, and ants to replicate the achievements of those attacking stars:
“Their experience winning the All-Ireland was great for us as we were 16 when they won it in 2012 and then we were minors in 2014 and got to a final and they were in the senior final too.
“That set the platform and foundations to take that through. You see a winning side and you want to be part of it,
and you put in the work to achieve that”.
His overall tally of 2-11 from play in this year’s Ulster Championship has taken a lot of the pressure from the returning McBrearty, who damaged a cruciate knee ligament in last year's provincial decider.
Brennan's blinding direct pace, accuracy, and ability to get the crucial scores has been key to Donegal’s success - but he remains as grounded as ever, saying his county had achieved one of its goals in retaining the Ulster title.
“Yes, it was one of our goals to retain Ulster and thankfully it worked out. I suppose things were a wee bit shaky earlier on in the year against Tipperary and Fermanagh and if we had not beaten Armagh in that League game in Ballybofey we could have still been in Division Two. Getting out of that Division was a real platform for the Ulster Championship”.
When incredible scoring tally is mentioned, he puts it down to “settling in”.
“It takes time, I have been part of the senior panel now for three or four years and it just does not happen over- night.
“Now there is a great bond within the team, and it is really tight which gives you great confidence every time you go out.”
“The Super 8’s is a brand- new competition and you just have to focus on that”.
Brennan’s fine form means he is going forward with confidence, but he points to a “lot of attention on Patrick McBrearty and Michael Murphy”.
“Having Patrick back in is a great boost for the team and he has still a lot more to give”.
Brennan’s direct pace is remarkable, but he says it is just a matter of “eyeing up defenders and seeing how you can exploit them.”
“I like to try and play it as I see it as taking your man on all the time is not always the best option, just look at the Fermanagh game.
“They can gobble you up but it is awareness.
“In 2017 I just took the ball into contact against Tyrone and got caught.
“But that is a learning experience”.
And Brennan’s increased bulk means he is a much more potent force.
“Yes that is all part of it and but it is injury prevention as well not too lost pace.
“I came in very light and I did not fancy the gym but when I was told about the science of it, I went for it and I have not lost my speed”.
Brennan has just graduated in nutrition so is well aware of looking after his body.
But one thing is certain.
Jamie Brennan has grown into one of the top strikers in the country….and one of the most grounded.
And if he clicks against Meath then Donegal’s chances of advancing are so much brighter.
