McBrearty did his cruciate in last year's Ulster final.

McBrearty did his cruciate in last year's Ulster final.

DONEGAL STAR PADDY McBrearty made his return to club action yesterday after a devastating cruciate injury last summer.

The 2012 All-Ireland winner accounted for 0-4 — two frees, one from play and one 45 — as his Kilcar side beat Glenswilly.

Donegal captain Michael Murphy led the charge at the other end with 1-5 in their opening Division 1 All-County League encounter.

McBrearty suffered the horror knee injury last June in his county’s Ulster final win over Fermanagh, and has been sidelined for the past 10 months.

The 25-year-old has returned to training with the county, who were recently promoted from Division 2, and an Ulster SFC comeback looks imminent.

“It’s good to see him back,” Kilcar manager Barry Doherty told Highland Radio after the match yesterday, in which McBrearty played the full 60 minutes.

“He gives a great lift to ourselves and he’ll give a great lift to the county when he gets back into it.

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“He has a bit of work to do. He’d be a long way off but he’s got plenty of games now over the next few weeks to improve every day.”

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