McDonald was one week off sitting his leaving certificate when called up to play his debut senior championship clash against Westmeath, scoring to help Laois secure a place in the semi-final against kildare.

Brian ‘Beano’ McDonald has been a firm favourite of players and fans over the years and most recently being mentioned in the 2022 Kerry V Galway All Ireland Match Day programme along with fellow Laois Legends Fergal Byron, Martin Dempsey, Joe Higgins, Tom Kelly, Colm Browne, Bobby Miller, John O’Loughlin, Mick Lawlor, Tom Prendergast and Ian Fitzgerald.

Alan Costello on his favourite 15 players “Brian Mc Donald UCD: Had balance, an awareness of space and a great eye for goal.

Went on to play compromise rules for Ireland.” Laoistoday.ie In 2020 Select their 20 best players over the past 20 years Another of the certainties, Beano was a class act in a Laois jersey from the moment he arrived on the scene as a 16-year-old on the All Ireland minor winning team in 1996.

Suffered an horrific leg break in the 2004 Qualifier defeat to Tyrone and though he recovered in time for the 2005 season, it wasn’t until 2006 that he was back to his best and enjoyed another fantastic spell of form in what was Micko’s final year.

Brian McDonald was shortlisted for a Vodafone All Star award in 2003 He joined the Laois backroom team as a coach (alongside Chris Conway) under Billy Sheehan, who was appointed manager in October 2021.