GAA in mourning as Donegal coach Shovelin (41) loses cancer battle
THE GAA community is in mourning following the death of former Donegal goalkeeping coach Pat Shovelin at the age of 41.
He passed away at the weekend after losing his battle with a rare form of liver cancer.
Mr Shovelin was part of Jim McGuinness’s backroom team that helped Donegal to its second ever All-Ireland triumph in 2012.
Referring to Mr Shovelin in his autobiography, ‘Until Victory Always’, Mr McGuinness wrote: “His loyalty is boundless and he is very funny. He has this laugh that can make a room laugh.”
Mr Shovelin is survived by his wife Chrissie and their two children Ethan and Tom.
In a statement, the Donegal County Board described Mr Shovelin as “one of life’s real gentlemen”.
“Pat was one of Gaelic games’ most popular figures in the north-west.
“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,” it added.
Even towards the end of last season, when Mr Shovelin’s illness “began to take a real grip”, he 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 teammates were never going to deny him the opportunity to bask in the taste of success once again that glorious evening in Armagh.”
Speaking about the death of Mr Shovelin, Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher said: “It’s absolutely devastating. We’re all heartbroken. Pat was such a great person. We’d such a lovely evening after that U21 final win. It meant so much to us all. I’d like to offer all the lads’ condolences to his wife Chrissie and their two children Ethan and Tom, and Pat’s wider family and friends.”