Brennan still going strong

middle and stuff like that. It’s more about recovery than actual game play - recovery is probably a little bit slower and the body is taking a little longer to recover with aches and pains and stuff.’

Sean agreed that the recent retirements from the professional game of siblings Killian (35) and Gavin (31) - baby brother Ryan (27) is lining out for Shelbourne this year - have made him think about when he might want to call it a day. However, that time is somewhere down the line and at the moment his vast experience and quality on the ball makes him one of the first names on Drogheda’s teamsheet.

‘My body will probably tell me,’ he replied. ‘When I’m starting to chase these young lads around and when I can’t do it any more and my recovery isn’t as quick as it should be to play every week, and if I’m not in the manager’s plans every week I think the body will slow down and it’ll be time to hang up the boots.’

Brennan scored some wonderful long-range goals last season and opposition defences will be wary of giving away free kicks in the 20 to 30-yard range when the Rathmullen native is on the field.

‘It’s a target,’ he agreed when asked if he could come up with another dozen goals in 2019.

‘I rarely practise free kicks. Myself and Tom [Byrne] would be messing in training rather than practising them, but a few went in last year, regardless of age you’re trying to improve every year no matter what and I’ll be trying to score as many goals as I can, and if I can improve on that it’ll be another good season.’

As always there have been some comings and goings during the off-season, but Brennan feels the squad is every bit as strong and another push for the play-offs is a realistic goal.

‘We’ve strengthened in good areas,’ he pointed out. ‘Wixie [Adam Wixted] coming back after having a good year in the Premier Division, is a great signing, and Tom has come back after a good