Shay Given Pays Heartfelt Tribute To 'Fellow Goalkeeper' Pat Shovelin

The wider GAA community came together in communal shock and sadness this weekend with the announcement of Pat Shovelin's premature death.

Donegal's goalkeeping coach as the county won only their second All-Ireland title in 2012, the affection in which he was held was palpable.

Communicating today via his instagram account, Shay Given mourned the loss of the man he described as 'a fellow goalkeeper' and 'a best friend'.

From embracing Shovelin to acting as a pallbearer at his funeral, Given's tribute to the young husband and father is touching and unquestionably tragic.

Today was up there with one of the hardest of my life. Pat Shovelin. Only 41. A true gentleman. A best friend. A loving husband. A proud father to his two boys, Ethan (5) and Tom (1). A fellow Donegal man and a fellow goalkeeper. I never expected to have to carry you in a coffin, carry you out of the pub yes, but this, no. Our hearts are broken. Whole county in mourning. We will all be strong for you Pat, the happiest man who I ever met, you would want us to be strong for you, and we will. God Rest you. Love you Pat ??#SafeHands

A post shared by Shay Given (@no1shaygiven) on Oct 24, 2017 at 10:18am PDT

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Shovelin's funeral took place in Donegal earlier this morning. He was provided with a guard of honour replete with Donegal jerseys.

Guard of honour for the funeral of Donegal GAA legend Pat Shovelin in Doneyloop this morning #donegalgaa pic.twitter.com/U5XWQQrHT2

— Conor Sharkey (@ConorSharkeySC) October 24, 2017

For Given, amongst many, many more we are certain, it was an unbearably sad day and a tragic loss for the many lives Shovelin touched.

Today was up there with one of the hardest of my life. Pat Shovelin. A true gentleman. A best… https://t.co/p3VqPabZwm

— Shay Given (@No1shaygiven) October 24, 2017