Breathnach represented Galway City and West at u16 level in the Ted Webb competition in 2001 and again in 2002.
Galway were beaten in the All Ireland Minor Football Championship Quarter-final in 2004 by Down by a single point, 0-15 to 1-11.
[citation needed] Breathnach attended St Jarlath's College, Tuam and was a member of the 2003 team that contested the Hogan Cup Final.
[citation needed] He then proceeded to win a 'Fresher A' intervarsity title with NUI,Galway (NUIG) in 2005.
[citation needed] He also captained the NUI,Galway Men's Senior Gaelic Football Team in the "Sigerson" interversity[check spelling] competition in 2008.