Paddy Bradley

Patrick Bradley (born 23 May 1981) due to his accuracy in front of the posts with both left and right feet - from both open play and frees.

He has consistently been a high scorer for Derry, with a career high of 2-38 (44 points) during the 2004 All-Ireland Championship. He is third all-time top Ulster scorer in Championship football with a tally of 13-177 (216 points). He attended secondary school at St Patrick's College, Maghera. Later he attended the University of Ulster Jordanstown.

Bradley is from a football background. His brother Eoin and cousin Gerard O'Kane both also play for Derry. His father Liam is current manager of Antrim. His uncle, Gabriel Bradley, was part of the Derry team that won back-to-back Ulster Championships in 1975 and 1976.

Playing career Club Bradley plays club football for John Mitchel's Glenullin. He captained the club to success in the 2007 Derry Senior Football Championship.

His ten points (six from open play) against reigning champions Ballinderry in the semi-final was instrumental in Glenullin reaching the final. Glenullin met Bellaghy in the final and after a replay, won the title.

A combination of Bellaghy's defensive screen system and tight man-marking by Michael McGoldrick kept Bradley relatively quiet in both games. However, he scored the winning point in the injury-time to secure the Championship for Glenullin. The club reached the Ulster League final again the following year, but were defeated by fellow Derry club Ballinderry. In 2008 the club reached the final of the All-Ireland Sevens Championship, organised by Kilmacud Crokes. However, they were beaten 1–11 to 0–13 by St. Gall's of Antrim in the decider, although Bradley scored 0-05. Glenullin, jointly with Ballinderry won the 2008 Derry Senior Football League. Bradley was Glenullin captain for four seasons between 2005 and 2008.

While in the United States in the summer of 2003, Bradley played for the Wolfe Tones GAA Club in Chicago. After a replay the Wolfe Tones won the Chicago Senior Football Championship.

Inter-county Bradley made his debut for the Derry Senior team in late 1999 aged 18.

In his first season Derry won the 2000 National League, defeating Meath in the final. as Derry reached the All-Ireland semi-final but were defeated by Galway.

In 2004, Bradley (2-38) and Enda Muldoon (3-24) contributed nearly 70% of Derry's total of 7-92 (113 points) in that year's Championship. Bradley received another All Star nomination that year.

Bradley was Derry captain in 2005 In addition to another All Star nomination in 2006, he was also nominated for the full forward spot on the inaugural GPA Gaelic Team of the Year, but lost out to Kieran Donaghy of Kerry.

In January 2007 Bradley was named Most Valuable Player in the All Star match between the 2006 and 2005 All Stars.

In April 2007 Bradley was banned for 12 weeks after a "minor physical interference" with a referee in a club game for Glenullin. He appealed the decision to both the Derry County Board and the Ulster Council, but both were rejected. held on 29 May.

Bradley had an impressive season in 2007, ending with five points from play in the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Dublin. On 19 October 2007, he was announced as full forward on the 2007 All Star team. He was also named in the 2007 GPA Team of the Year.

Derry become the favourites to win the Ulster Championship. However, despite a good opening Ulster Championship victory over Donegal, (where Bradley scored 10 points in a man of the match display, Derry exited the Ulster Championship against Fermanagh at the semi-final stage and were defeated by Monaghan in the first round of the Qualifiers. He again received a nomination for a GPA All Star.

Bradley and Derry again reached the National League final in 2009, but were defeated by Kerry. Derry opened their 2009 Championship campaign with a win over Monaghan. However, they were defeated in the next round by Tyrone. Bradley was named captain for that game in the absence of suspended regular captain Fergal Doherty and injured vice-captain Niall McCusker.

Bradley only scored one point against Tyrone and it later emerged he was carrying an injury into the game.

Bradley played against Monaghan and scored 2-08 (2-06 from play) in a man-of-the-match performance. Derry's 2009 campaign however ended the following week with defeat to Donegal, with Bradley being forced off injured in the second half. In November 2010, with a new Derry manager in place, it was reported by The Irish News that Bradley would again be available for selection for the 2011 county panel.

Championship scoring details Year Tally Total Matches Average Notes 2000 1-09 12 points 4 3 2001 2-17 23 7 3.3 Joint highest Ulster scorer, 10th in Ireland 2002 1-11 14 4 3.5 2003 2-11 17 4 4.25 2004 2-38 44 7 6.3 Highest Ulster scorer, 3rd in Ireland 2005 2-29 35 5 7 Second highest Ulster scorer, 2nd in Ireland 2006 2-20 26 4 6.5 Highest Ulster scorer, 6th in Ireland 2007 1-25 28 6 5.6 2008 0-17 17 3 5.7

Province Bradley won Railway Cup medals with Ulster in 2004 and 2007. He was in contention for a place in the 2006 team, but did not make the final 25-man panel due to injury/fitness concerns. The 2007 series was cancelled, Bradley was however selected for the 2008 Series in Australia.

School and college Playing in the half forward line, Bradley reached the 1998 MacRory Cup final with St. Pat's, He also won two Ryan Cup medals with the university.

Managerial career Bradley managed Newbridge to the Derry Intermediate Football Championship and was an Antrim coach working with his father Liam. Paddy Bradley was then "involved with" the Donegal Gaeltacht club Gaoth Dobhair. In late 2020, he was appointed as Derry under-20 football manager.

In November 2022, Bradley joined the backroom team of the Donegal senior footballers, working under the management of Paddy Carr.

Honours

Inter-county National Football League: Winner (2): 2000, 2008 Runner-up: 2009 Ulster Senior Football Championship: Runner up: 2000 Dr McKenna Cup: Runner up: 2005, 2008, more?

Club All-Ireland Kilmacud Crokes Sevens Championship: Runner up: 2008 Ulster Senior Club Football League: Winner: 2007 Runner up: 2008 Derry Senior Football Championship: Winner (1): 2007 Derry Senior Football League: Winner (1): 2008 Chicago Senior Football Championship: Winner (1): 2003

School and college Sigerson Cup: Winner (1): 2001 Ryan Cup: Winner (2): Years? MacRory Cup: Runner up: 1998 Mageenan Cup (hurling): Winner (at least 1): 1998

Province Railway Cup: Winner (2): 2004, 2007

International International Rules Series: Winner (1): 2008

Individual

All Star: Winner (1): 2007 Nominated (runner up): 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006 GPA All Star: Winner (1): 2007 Nominated (runner-up): 2006, 2008 Irish News Ulster GAA All-Star - Winner (5): 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Derry Senior football captain: 2005 Derry Senior Football Championship winning captain: 2007

Note: The above lists may be incomplete. Please add any other honours you know of.