THE Donegal GAA community is in mourning after the passing of Pat Shovelin on Saturday.
The 41-year-old had battled against a rare but aggressive form of cancer for the past year.
An Ardara clubman, Pat was goalkeeping coach with the Donegal senior team when they won the All-Ireland SFC in 2012, having also fulfilled that role with the county’s U21s in 2010 alongside his cousin Jim McGuinness.
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That U21 side was within the width of a crossbar of winning the All-Ireland title, and later that year Shovelin went with McGuinness when he moved up to take charge of the senior side.
They would go on to win three Ulster titles – in 2011, 2012 and 2014 – as well as a second All-Ireland title for the county.
As a player, Shovelin won Donegal championships with Ardara in 2000 and 2004, and will also be remembered as a visionary goalkeeping coach, playing a crucial role in Donegal’s triumphs at provincial and All-Ireland level.
The Donegal goalkeeper of that period, Paul Durcan, was a double Allstar recipient.
In a statement, the Donegal County Board paid a warm tribute to a man described as “a genuine soul”.
“Donegal County Committee would like to express our sympathy to Pat’s family, friends, work colleagues and CLG Ard an Ratha,” said the Donegal PRO, Ed Byrne.
“Pat was one of Gaelic games’ most popular figures in the North West – ever since he first came to wider prominence under Jim McGuinness’s successful tenure with Donegal seniors and U21s, where he played a significant part in their provincial and, of course, All-Ireland success.
“Pat’s ability as a goalkeeping coach was obvious. But his personality and kindness eclipsed all of that. He was special. He was a genuine soul that will never be forgotten.
“His ability to remain positive and productive right up until the last number of weeks is an example to us all.
“Even towards the end of last season, when illness began to take a real grip, Pat remained part of the U21
set-up under Declan Bonner as the side delivered Ulster success.
“Captain Eoghan Ban Gallagher made sure that Pat was up alongside him as he claimed the provincial prize. It was a beautiful gesture.
“But it was a powerful one too. Pat had battled bravely to make sure he was present that night and Ban and his team-mates were never going to deny him the opportunity to bask in the taste of success once again that glorious evening in Armagh.”
Paying a personal tribute to the coach, Gallagher said: “It’s absolutely devastating. We’re all heartbroken. Pat was such a great person. We’d such a great evening after that U21 final win.
“It meant so much to us all. I’d like to offer all the lads’ (U21’s) condolences, to his wife Chrissie and their two children – Ethan and Tom – and Pat’s wider family and friends.”
Both Ardara games, which were due to take place yesterday, were postponed as a mark of respect, while all clubs in Donegal were requested to hold a minute silence at yesterday’s games.
