Despite being just 19-years-old, Gavin McGovern has been a revelation up front for Sean Flanagan and Brendan Rasdale’s side this year.
McGovern admits it was always his dream to win senior championships for the Harps, and to be wearing the number 13 jersey on county final day was a special experience for both himself and his family. McGovern’s father Damian was a stalwart of the Derrygonnelly and Gavin knows his father would be very proud of this teams’ success to date, especially with both Gavin and brother Rían being heavily involved.
“It has been a special year for the club winning both the league and championship and also progressing in Ulster has been a huge bonus for us. You dream when you are younger of doing these things with the senior team, but for it to actually happen is incredible. My father used to always tell me and my brothers when we were younger that he wanted to see us winning championships with Derrygonnelly and I know he’d be a very proud man to see what this team has done over the last number of years.”
McGovern has played a key role in the Derrygonnelly team and he is very thankful to the faith shown to him by the management all year.
“Last year I know I wasn’t at the level required to make the team, but after that I put in a lot of work over the winter and I feel like I have definitely improved since then. I still think I could have done better this year in terms of scoring, but I am very glad to get the experience of playing at this level and I am very grateful to Sean [Flanagan] and Brendy [Rasdale] for giving me that chance.”
The current South West College Business Studies student is full of praise for the older members of the Harps team and says they have helped hugely in his development.
“We have a lot of experience in our team and all the older players have helped us young lads a lot over the last two years. They drive us on and give us advice during training on what we can do to improve and I know it has helped me improve as a footballer.”
McGovern Sunday’s clash with Down champions on Sunday will be a totally new challenge and he knows they will need to play to their full potential if they are to make the Ulster showpiece.
“Kilcoo are a serious team. They have a lot of quality and we know it is going to be a huge challenge. They have been a real dominant force in Down over the last number of years and they are also favourites going in to the game. All we can do is prepare to the best of our ability and see where that takes us in Armagh on Sunday.”
Emotional first senior year for McGovern
Posted: 9:03 am November 14, 2019
Posted: 9:03 am November 14, 2019