Pat Shovelin

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

Pat Shovelin
Born	1975/6
Died	21 October 2017 (aged 41)
Known for	Coaching Gaelic football
Term	2010–2017
Awards	2012 All-Ireland Champion

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 2011 NFL Division 2 title at Croke Park in 2011. 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 SFC final.^[1][13] He and Shay Given were close.^[12]

References

1. 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". Belfast Telegraph. 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. 23 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
6. Jackson, Lyle (23 September 2012). "Donegal 2–11 0–13 Mayo". 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. 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. "'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.