John McGovern (7 March 1932 – 24 February 2022) was an Irish hurler who played at club level with Bennettsbridge and at inter-county level with the Kilkenny senior hurling team. He usually lined out as a wing-back.

Johnny McGovern
Personal information
Irish name Seán Mac Shabhráin
Sport Hurling
Position Left wing-back
Born (1932-03-07)7 March 1932
Bennettsbridge,
County Kilkenny, Ireland
Died 24 February 2022(2022-02-24) (aged 89)
Bennettsbridge,
County Kilkenny, Ireland
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Occupation Oil company employee
Club(s)
Years Club
1950–1971
Bennettsbridge
Club titles
Kilkenny titles 11
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
1952–1964
Kilkenny
Inter-county titles
Leinster titles 6
All-Irelands 2
NHL 1

Playing career

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McGovern first came to prominence as a hurler at club level with Bennettsbridge. In a career that spanned 21 years, he won a record eleven Kilkenny SHC titles. McGovern first appeared on the inter-county scene during a two-year stint with the Kilkenny minor hurling team and ended his time in that grade with a defeat of Tipperary in the 1950 All-Ireland minor final. McGovern subsequently earned inclusion on the Kilkenny senior hurling team and served as team captain in his debut season in 1953. His senior career brought All-Ireland triumphs over Waterford in 1957 and 1963.[1][2] McGovern's other inter-county honours included six Leinster Championships and a National League title.[3] He won a Railway Cup medal as captain of Leinster in 1954.

Management career

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In retirement from inter-county hurling, McGovern joined the selection committee of the Kilkenny senior hurling team in 1967. His eleven-year association with the team yielded five All-Ireland Championships, numerous Leinster Championships and a National League title.

Personal life and death

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McGovern was born in Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny in March 1932.[4] He began his working life with Bennettsbridge Creamery before later working with Esso. McGovern died in Bennettsbridge on 24 February 2022, at the age of 89.[5][6]

Honours

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Player

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Bennettsbridge
Kilkenny
Leinster

Selector

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Kilkenny

References

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  1. ^ Commins, Michael (26 August 2008). "Hurling and the Hollywood link". The Mayo News. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  2. ^ "Kilkenny cause major upset". Irish Times. 3 September 2008. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Leinster Senior Hurling Finalists" (PDF). Leinster GAA website. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  4. ^ O'Sullivan, P. M. (27 October 2018). "Johnny McGovern a lifetime at the heart of Bennettsbridge". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  5. ^ Cribbin, Robert (25 February 2022). "Former Kilkenny hurler Johnny McGovern has passed away". Kilkenny People. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Johnny McGovern RIP". Kilkenny GAA website. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.