Pat Shovelin

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Pat Shovelin
Born1975/6
Died21 October 2017 (aged 41)
Known forCoaching Gaelic football
Term2010–2017
Awards2012 All-Ireland Champion

Pat Shovelin (1975/6 – 21 October 2017) was a Gaelic football coach from Ardara, County Donegal. He was the goalkeeping coach for the Donegal county football team.[1][2][3] He represented Ardara, his local club.[4] Donegal won the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final and are All-Ireland Champions, the highest achievement in the sport of Gaelic football.[5][6]

As Donegal goalkeeping coach, Shovelin was responsible for the training of county netminders Paul Durcan and Michael Boyle.[1] Shovelin considered Durcan to be as influential as Peter Schmeichel.[7]

Shovelin graduated through the ranks with manager Jim McGuinness, with the pair previously working together with the Donegal under-21 football team.[8][9] His style was that of "always-smiling and ever-mischievous".[10]

Shovelin was with Donegal when they won the NFL Division 2 title at Croke Park.[when?] He was awarded medals on the basis of Donegal successes at senior and U21 levels.[11]

Though diagnosed with liver cancer, he continued as part of the Donegal under-21 team that won an Ulster title in April 2017 and died that October.[12]

Personal life[]

He was married. His first child was born on the Wednesday before Donegal won the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final.[1][13] He and Shay Given were close.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Craig, Frank. "Interview with Pat Shovlin: Keepers deserve their 'Pat' on the back". Ardara. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Donegal end search for new boss". BreakingNews.ie. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  3. ^ "New Donegal boss". The Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  4. ^ "Donegal GAA CLUB CALL". Donegal Democrat. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  5. ^ "Live updates from the All-Ireland finals at Croke Park". RTÉ Sport. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 23 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  6. ^ Jackson, Lyle (23 September 2012). "Donegal 2-11 0-13 Mayo". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  7. ^ McNulty, Chris (1 March 2013). "'Papa' set for 100th appearance". Donegal News. Retrieved 1 March 2013. "I would liken his to the influence that Peter Schmeichel (the former Manchester United goalkeeper) used to have," says Shovelin. "He is a massive voice in the dressing room and a massive influence in the squad...Like Schmeichel used to, Paul can really control games. He is so good with his team-mates too, whether it's a senior player or a youngster." Shovelin began working with Durcan and Michael Boyle in the winter of 2010 following McGuinness's appointment.
  8. ^ "Donegal U-21s hit by virus". Donegal Democrat. 4 May 2010. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2010. Manager Jim McGuinness and his goalkeeping coach Pat Shovlin were also laid low with the bug, manager McGuinness confirmed after Saturday evening's game.
  9. ^ "Paul Durcan". Gaelic Life. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011. Pat Shovlin is there. He was involved with the u-21s last year, was the goal-keeping coach for them, so Jim brought him along to the senior set-up.[dead link]
  10. ^ McNulty, Chris (7 April 2020). "The diary, the dream and Donegal's first steps to 'the other place'". Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Donegal Now". 2 April 2012. Paddy McGrath, Conor Classon, Peter McNelis and Pat Shovlin all picked up medals off the back of Donegal senior and U21 successes.
  12. ^ a b "'One of the hardest days of my life': Shay Given bids farewell to Donegal coach Pat Shovelin-The former Donegal GAA goalkeeping coach was laid to rest on Tuesday". The42.ie. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  13. ^ McGuinness, Jim. The Sunday Game. RTÉ Television, 23 September 2012.
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