Donegal Under-21 manager Declan Bonner says Monday’s Ulster U21 final win was for popular goalkeeping coach Pat Shovelin.
By Chris McNulty, Donegal Sport Hub
Ardara man Shovelin was on the sidelines of the Athletic Grounds for the final despite the fact that he is undergoing treatment for cancer.
The 40-year-old missed last Wednesday’s semi-final win over Cavan in Enniskillen as he was in hospital, but was permitted to be at Monday’s final to see Donegal defeat Derry 3-17 to 0-13.
Shovelin – who lives in Doneyloop with his young family – is fighting a form of liver cancer, but remains an integral part of the Donegal Under-21 group.
He was diagnosed early this year and was under the care of medics in Sligo before beginning chemotherapy last month.
“It’s was great to see Pat there with us,” Donegal manager Bonner told Donegal Daily.
“He travelled up to the game there with Tony Shovelin. Pat is fighting his own fight, but it was brilliant to have him with us and we’re all rooting for Pat in his own battle, too.
“He is a brilliant asset to our set up. Gary Walsh was there for three years and was a brilliant coach but when he couldn’t commit, we went for Pat.
“Pat is a really top character and a top-class goalkeeping coach.
“He is a top guy and it’s brilliant to have him in.
“It was a huge lift for the boys to have him there on Monday. That win was for Pat. Hopefully now we can press on and get to an All-Ireland final for him.”
Shovelin hopes to be on the line on Saturday at Breffni Park where Donegal face Dublin in an All-Ireland Under-21 semi-final.
Shovelin, who played club football with his native Ardara, was the goalkeeping coach in 2010 when Jim McGuinness took the Donegal Under-21s to an Ulster title and an All-Ireland final.
He was the goalkeeping coach for the duration of McGuinness’ four-year term with the Donegal senior team before being recruited this year by Bonner to take the place of Walsh.
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