BRENDAN McGILL

Height  5' 8"

Weight  9  2lbs

Midfielder/Winger

Brendan was born in Dublin on the 22nd of March 1981 and signed for Sunderland youth on the 1st of August 1998.  He made one appearance for their senior team, coming on in the 45th minute in the League Cup 2nd leg game against Luton Town on the 26th of September 2000. A game that Sunderland won 2-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate. 

Brendan signed a loan deal to come to Carlisle on the 7th of September 2001 and later extended his loan until the penultimate game of the season. He was soon to become a favourite with the fans. His speed and ability to take the ball around defenders bringing the ball down the wing always looked likely to carve out an opening for the attack. His debut game was at Darlington away on the 8th of September, a 2-2 draw. The next game, Cheltenham away he came off the bench to replace Maddison but could do nothing to prevent the 2-0 defeat. Back in the starting line up for the next match, York at home on the 18th of September, Brendan created chances throughout the game and earned himself a regular starting place for the next 14 games. In this period his link play with Peter Murphy blossomed  and Carlisle  were to forge a clear and present danger down the left. After picking up an injury in December he missed the away defeat to Rushden and Diamonds on the 22nd of December. The weather played havoc with United's fixtures over Christmas and the next match wasn't played until the 12th of January, giving Brendan and other injured players time to recover. The enforced break gave coaches and players the time they had missed out on pre season and it was a very hungry team that took the field at home against Leyton Orient in the first game of 2002. By half time United were 5 - 0 up and fans were a little disappointed when by  80 minutes the only goal of the second half had been an Orient consolation, scored by Wayne Gray. The home supporters were to have the last word though when on 83 minutes Brendan took a pass from Richie Foran without breaking stride and then calmly placed the ball past the Orient keeper and into the net. A just reward for some one who had contributed so much to the game. Brendan's only other goal came away at Lincoln on the 2nd of March.   Rumours had been rife before the game that Roddy Collins had left the club and it seemed despite Roddy making an appearance before the game that both crowd and players were unsettled. By half time Carlisle were 2 goals down to a team that shouldn't have troubled them.   Nearly immediately after kick off in the second half Mark Birch sent in a long cross which Brendan controlled to slot past the Lincoln keeper but despite numerous other chances Carlisle eventually lost the game 3 -1. Against Swansea on the 9th of March Brendan picked up an injury in the first half which led to him having to leave the field before half time and miss the next six games.  Brendan played his last game at home against Cheltenham on the 16th of April, he was substituted in the 83rd minute and came off to a loud round of applause from the fans who recognised  what an important part Brendan had played in United's revival.  

Season 2002/03  saw Brendan back at Brunton Park after signing a 3 year deal on the 15th of August. His first goal of the campaign came away at Rotherham in the Worthington Cup on the 10th of September. United were trailing by two goals when  Brendan fired a spectacular shot from 25 yards out, The ball curled into the top corner, leaving the keeper with no chance. The game ended in a 3-1 defeat. His first league goal of the campaign came away at Macclesfield on the 19th of October. Losing 2-1 despite having  at least as much of the play, by 80 minutes United were throwing everyone forward. The influential Leon Osman got a cross to John Sutton who despite being impeded managed to head back to Osman to send the ball across goal for Brendan to poke the home. At home to Oxford on the 2nd of November  it was a solo effort that grabbed the points.  Picking up the ball on the left he cut inside beating two defenders before beating Andy Woodman on the near post. His final goal of the season came away at Swansea on the 15th of March, a match that ended in a vital 2-1 win for United. In the 89th minute Stuart Green squared the ball for Brendan to dispatch to the back of the net.

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