Researching Brendan Macken

Originally from Montreal, Macken won the precursor to today's Roger Cups, the 1950 Canadian National championship, in singles, by defeating Henri Rochon in the final, 6-0, 6-0, 6-3. Despite this convincing scoreline, it was his only Canadian championship singles title. He also won the doubles crown twice - in 1946 with his brother Jim and in 1951 partnering Lorne Main.

Macken competed in nine consecutive United States National championships in singles, from 1945 through 1953. His best result was winning two matches to reach the third round in 1952. He also reached the last 32 in 1945 with a depleted field, which saw him as the No. 14 seed. Macken once competed in the main draw singles at Wimbledon, losing his only match in four sets to Kurt Nielsen.

In Davis Cup, Macken played in 10 ties for Canada over 9 years, beginning in 1946. Canada's best result with Macken on board was defeating Mexico in 1952 to reach the America Zone final, where they lost to the U.S. 1-4. Macken won both of his singles matches against Mexico as Canada swept the tie, 5 matches to nil. He then took the only match off the Americans, beating Robert Perry in a dead fifth rubber. Macken's career match win-loss record was 6 and 8 in singles and 1 and 5 in doubles.

Macken, who played Leinster Schools Cup rugby with Blackrock College, made his Leinster senior debut in an away defeat to Glasgow Warriors in the closing weeks on the 2009/10 season.

Having impressed with the Leinster Academy and with the 'A' side in interprovincial and British & Irish Cup matches, Macken found himself limited to a solitary Magners League match, against Aironi, the following season.

With centres Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy and Fergus McFadden in New Zealand on World Cup duty with Ireland, the 21-year-old was given the opportunity and he scored a try, and contributed to another, in the 31–10 defeat of Newport Gwent Dragons. His partnership with Eoin O'Malley in the centre gave Blues supporters and exciting glimpse of the future.

The returning Irish internationals made it tough for Macken to hold down a regular spot but he set about delivering for the 'A' side in clashes against London Welsh and Pontypridd. Macken, capped 13 times by Ireland Under-20s, eventually reached the semi-finals of the 'British & Irish Cup,' before the team were eliminated by Munster.

He was recalled to the senior squad in January and February 2012 for three starts in the PRO12 and scored his second ever league try in a comprehensive 54–13 win over Edinburgh at the RDS. He featured in pre-season games in August and scored a last-minute try against Dragons in a bonus point victory.

On 28 February 2015, Macken signed a loan deal to join Gloucester Rugby until the end of the 2014–15 season. On 22 May 2015, Macken signed a permanent deal to join Aviva Premiership rivals Wasps.

On 28 August 2018 it was confirmed Brendan Macken had left Wasps to join then Championship side London Irish.