Former Donegal goalkeeping coach Pat Shovelin has passed away at the age of just 41. Shovelin passed away yesterday, having battled a rare form of liver cancer over the last year.
Shovelin was a member of Jim McGuinness' All-Ireland winning backroom team in 2012, and Donegal GAA last night paid tribute to a "genuine soul who will never be forgotten".
RIP Pat Shovelin – one of life’s real gentlemen
The Donegal GAA community is in mourning this evening with the sad news that Pat Shovelin has passed away. Donegal County Executive & County Committee would like to express our sympathy to Pat’s family, friends, work colleagues and CLG Ard an Ratha.
The CLG Ard an Ratha clubman (41) had bravely battled against a rare but aggressive form of cancer for the past year.
Pat was one of Gaelic games’ most popular figures in the North West – ever since he first came to wider prominence under Jim McGuinness’ 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 teammates were never going to deny him the opportunity to bask in the taste of success once again that glorious evening in Armagh.
What the win also did – and Pat was quick to point this one out – was make him, in his own words “Donegal’s most successful ever football coach”! He now had a fourth Ulster crown to go along with the previous three senior ones he’d won under McGuinness! And as a result, his collection now eclipsed even that of the great Glenties man!
It was a brilliantly witty quip. And it was another example of Pat’s ability to make light of his illness. Indeed, when the candidates to replace Rory Gallagher were recently announced Pat jokingly wondered why he, with such a record, wasn’t on the shortlist!
What is for certain however, is that Declan Bonner would have had Pat back on board in 2018 as he looks to take Donegal football back to the top of the mountain.
Asked to share a few thoughts and words this evening by Donegal GAA, Eoghan Ban Gallagher said this. “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’ (U21’s) condolences to his wife Chrissie and their two children Ethan, Tom and Pat’s wider family and friends.
Donegal CCC have postponed both Ardara games which were scheduled to take place tomorrow (Sunday) and request all Clubs to hold a minutes silence at tomorrows games.
In his autobiography Until Victory Always, Jim McGuinness said of Shovelin that "his loyalty is boundless and he is very funny. He has this laugh that can make a room laugh. That was important to us."
There were myriad tributes to Shovelin's memory posted across social media:
A sad evening. RIP Pat Shovelin... No 1 in the hearts of all at CLG Ard an Ratha and so many others too. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam pic.twitter.com/kOHQSa2GY4
— CLG Ard an Rátha/Ardara GAA (@ArdaraGAA) October 21, 2017
Gentleman and a Hero. RIP Pat Shovelin. https://t.co/0DN3cVBccT
— Michael Carroll (@mcarroll97) October 21, 2017
Very sad to hear of Pat Shovelin's passing tonight. One of the good guys. Deepest sympathies to his family, friends and everyone at CLG Ard an Ratha. RIP Pat.
— St. Eunan's GAA Club (@StEunansGAA) October 21, 2017
Thoughts with everyone in @officialdonegal at the passing of Pat Shovelin RIP! https://t.co/j7RpiEaIjg
— Cork Football (@cork_football) October 21, 2017
Sad to hear the news of the passing of Pat Shovelin, a real gentleman who was quick to offer kind words of support to me on a few occasions
— Ben McKinless (@BenMcKinless123) October 21, 2017
Sympathies to the family of Pat Shovelin @patshovelin1 @donegalgaa1 who has sadly died. Extraordinary courage in the face of adversity (RIP) pic.twitter.com/LlDFpa4U6T
— Brian Carthy (@briancarthyrte) October 21, 2017
Donegal GAA is a much poorer place tonight
Our friend & goalkeeping coach supreme, Pat Shovelin has left us
God rest his gentle soul pic.twitter.com/RqVbsGCZLm— Seán Perry (@perry_sean) October 21, 2017
Very Saddened to hear of the loss of Pat Shovelin tonight. My Condolences to the entire family circle. RIP Pat.
— Stevie Kane (@steviekane1906) October 21, 2017
#ITSligo is remembering Pat Shovelin tonight. RIP. @ITSligoGAAClub https://t.co/JtGPMb0Gaq
— ATU Sligo (@atusligo_ie) October 21, 2017
