As one door closes, another door opens for former Down gaelic footballer and Dungannon Swifts striker John McGovern.
The 22-year-old was unveiled as Shamrock Rovers’ new signing earlier today after a stellar campaign with the Swifts.
McGovern was discarded by his hometown club, Newry City, a year ago after recovering from serious injuries that threatened his career and kept him out for two years.
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Rodney McAree swooped to spark a renaissance in McGovern’s career as he helped the Tyrone club finish in the top six of the Irish Premiership and also win the Irish Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
The Newry man scored the opening goal in a final Dungannon won after a penalty shootout with Cliftonville, taking his tally for the season to twenty goals.
McGovern was part of the victorious Down side that won the Tailteann Cup last year under Conor Laverty, having previously played for Down minors.
However, now that he has finished a degree and moved into full-time football, his Down aspirations have come to an end.
“That’s me done now”, said McGovern, a former Ballyholland player.
“I was involved last year and I was fortunate enough to win the Tailteann Cup Down, but now that I’ve moved into full-time football, I have to put gaelic on the back burner.
“I’ve spoken to the boys at Down and Ballyholland, and to be fair, they were fine about it, they know I have an opportunity at Shamrock Rovers.”
McGovern had the opportunity to move to Shamrock Rovers in January but turned down the chance at that point.
Not only did he want to finish his degree in Belfast, he also wanted to repay the faith McAree and Dungannon showed by signing him and playing him regularly.
That faith was rewarded as McGovern helped the Swifts win the Irish Cup for the first time in its history, a nice way to sign off and the rangy goalgetter revealed his delight at signing for Rovers.
“Pure excitement”, said McGovern, whose 17-year-old brother Paul is at Glenavon.
“I’ve got my education, that allows me to focus on football full-time, and I’m ready to give it a rattle.
“There was interest from Irish League clubs, TNS made an offer and there was also interest from Scotland League Two clubs.
“It was easy enough to block out and focus on the end of season with Dungannon, but I’ve always wanted to have a go at full-time football.
“I wanted a new challenge. For me and my personal progress, I wanted to go to a bigger club and Rovers’ success speaks for itself.
“They showed me they wanted me and I wanted to go to a club where I would play regularly, just as I did at Dungannon, and I believe I can do that at Rovers.
“My full focus now is on Shamrock Rovers and helping the club in whatever way I can.”
McGovern will be eligible to play for Rovers in July, once he receives international clearance.
