EVEN the most dedicated League of Ireland watchers are struggling to think of the last time three brothers lined out for the same team in the same match.

Apparently, five members of the Fitzgerald clan lined out for Waterford United in a league game against Limerick in 1964, but such a family affair is unprecedented in recent history and the presence of three Brennan siblings in this year's Drogheda United squad has caused quite a stir.

Injury prevented Gavin joining his brothers on the pitch last Thursday, and by a remarkable coincidence all three will miss the Boynesiders' Premier Division opener against Shamrock Rovers through suspension - although elder brother Killian is on the Rovers team of course!

Nevertheless, with each occupying different positions on the field, there is the very real prospect of the Rathmullen trio all lining out in a competitive match in the near future.

And after a few barren years in terms of local involvement in the squad, the presence of three quality players who are Drogheda through and through is great news for United in terms of generating interest in the town and boosting numbers coming through the turnstiles.

Sean and Gavin are both relatively late developers, having each made their League debuts at the age of 22 with Monaghan United and the Drogs respectively after spells with Drogheda Town in the Leinster Senior League.

Now 26, Sean blossomed initially under Cooke, who signed him for Monaghan in 2008 soon after he starred for Town in an FAI Cup tie against Bohemians, before reaching new heights under the tutorship of Roddy Collins last year.

But despite Mons' promotion, he was only too happy to renew his acquaintances with the veteran Drogheda manager.

'The chance to play for my home-town club was a huge factor, but Mick would be another,' Sean enthused.

'I get on very well with him and he's brilliant - the same with Robbie Horgan. Very easy going, but you know when he wants you to do something and you put your head down and do it.

'Having two brothers around makes things easier. We all play five-a-side together even when the season is off, but the whole squad is all together already. You wouldn't think from the Dundalk game that we were after forming a whole new squad.

'We're still a bit rusty and I maybe didn't do myself justice, but I think Ryan was probably the best player on the pitch.'

At 20, Ryan is the youngest of the trio, but already has 29 Premier games for the Drogs under his belt, having played under five managers in that traumatic 2010 season.

Like his siblings, he's delighted to be with his hometown club at a time when there is such optimism around the Windmill Road - even if the brothers aren't yet fully appreciated by their teammates.

'It's always 'the Brennans don't do this and the Brennans don't do that' - there would always be a bit of banter with the other players,' he laughed. 'But there's a great buzz around the ground with training and that and it's great to be back.

'Myself and Sean did well with Monaghan and got them promoted, and now we'll be looking to do with Drogheda and get them up the table.

'I wouldn't be aiming any lower than top six with the squad we have.'

Gavin burst onto the scene last summer, having previously played for Drogheda Town, and he took to the League of Ireland like a duck to water, going on to win the club's Player of the Year award.

Before the campaign had ended he'd agreed to re-sign for 2012, even though he hadn't a clue that Sean and Ryan were also bound for their home-town club.

'It's just the way it happened,' he said, when asked whether the brothers had discussed their future plans with each other before committing to Drogheda.

'I signed two games before the end of the season because I was happy enough to carry on with Drogheda, but I thought they were going to stay and give it a bash with Monaghan in the Premier.

'Mick had the two boys at Monaghan and liked them, though, and the boys came up [to Drogheda] and that was it.

'Sean is the loudest on the field and Ryan is quiet. He just keeps his head down and gets on with it. I'm somewhere in between!'

Asked about elder brother Killian (28) who is plying his trade with Shamrock Rovers this year after five seasons with Bohemians, Gavin insisted: 'He's an outsider and we'll be out to get him this season.

'I'm looking forward to playing against him.'

One thing the brothers won't be doing is treating each other with any favouritism if things don't go right on the field, according to Ryan.

'I would have a go at them if they're not doing their job, the same as everyone else. I won't be treating them any different!'

So while Shamrock Rovers won't have the dubious pleasure of facing the Brennans, it's a case of 'watch out Cork City' when the Drogs head to Turner's Cross on March 9th.