breen replaced elisha scott as first-choice goalkeeper for both belfast celtic and the ifa xi and was rated by billy behan, one of his predecessors at manchester united and a renowned scout, as one of the best goalkeepers ireland ever produced. he was also the first manchester united player ever to play for an fai xi. during his career, breen was involved in several controversies; in november 1937, he turned down the chance to play for the fai xi in a 1938 world cup qualifier to play for the ifa xi in the 1938 british home championship. then, in 1944, he transferred from belfast celtic to their rivals linfield after a financial dispute.