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{{Short description|Irish Gaelic footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Use Irish English|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox GAA player
{{Infobox GAA player
| code = Football
| code = Football
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| county = Donegal
| county = Donegal
| province = Ulster
| province = Ulster
| club = [[C.L.G. Naomh Adhamhnáin|Naomh Adhamhnáin]]
| club = [[St Eunan's GAA|St Eunan's]]
| position = Wing back
| position = Wing back
| clubs =
| clubs =
| clyears = ? - 2014
| clyears = 200?–2014
| clapps(points) =
| clapps(points) =
| clcounty = 5
| clcounty = 5
| clprovince =
| clprovince =
| clallireland =
| clallireland =
| counties = [[Donegal GAA|Donegal]]
| counties = [[Donegal county football team|Donegal]]
| icposition =
| icposition =
| icyears = 2008 - 2014
| icyears = 2008–2014
| icapps(points) =
| icapps(points) =
| icprovince =
| icprovince =
Line 29: Line 32:
| clupdate =
| clupdate =
| icupdate =
| icupdate =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|05|31}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|05|31}}
| birth_place = [[County Donegal]], Ireland
| birth_place = [[County Donegal]], Ireland
}}
}}
'''Mark McGowan''' (born 31 May 1988) is an Irish sportsperson. He played [[Gaelic football]] with his local club [[C.L.G. Naomh Adhamhnáin|Naomh Adhamhnáin]] and was a member of the [[Donegal GAA|Donegal]] inter-county team at all levels. Known for his defensive play, he could also play further forward in attack and was considered tailor made for "[[The System (Gaelic football)|The System]]" deployed by [[Jim McGuinness]].<ref name=mcgowan_mchugh_called_up/> Considered the best left [[cornerback]] in his age group in the province of Ulster in 2006,<ref name=sainteunans_mcgowan/> a persistent hip injury forced him to retire from the game at the age of just 25.<ref name=forced_to_retire/>
'''Mark McGowan''' (born 31 May 1988) is an Irish former [[Gaelic football]]er who played for [[St Eunan's GAA|St Eunan's]] and, at all levels, the [[Donegal county football team|Donegal county team]].
Known for his defensive play, he could also play further forward in attack and was considered tailor-made for "[[The System (Gaelic football)|The System]]" deployed by [[Jim McGuinness]].<ref name=mcgowan_mchugh_called_up/>
Considered the best left [[cornerback]] in his age group in the province of Ulster in 2006,<ref name=sainteunans_mcgowan/> a persistent hip injury forced him to retire from the game at the age of just 25.<ref name=forced_to_retire/>


==Early life==
==Early life==
McGowan was educated at [[Saint Eunan's College]]. In 2007, in his final year at school, he was part of a team that won a silver medal at the All-Ireland Higher Maths national finals, a competition for Higher Level Mathematic students.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.donegalnow.com/uncategorized/five-row-high-maths-st-eunans-college-students/148725|title=Five in a row in high maths for St. Eunan's College students|work=Donegal Now|date=4 March 2017|accessdate=4 March 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829221139/https://www.donegalnow.com/uncategorized/five-row-high-maths-st-eunans-college-students/148725|archivedate=29 August 2018|quote=Back in 2007, the school won a silver medal with a team members Colm McCormick, Patrick Clear, Luke Kelly and Mark McGowan.}}</ref> He, of course, played Gaelic football for each of the school's teams, where his preference was for defence and his favourite position was left [[cornerback]].<ref name=sainteunans_mcgowan>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024213830/http://www.sainteunans.com/gaamcgowan.htm|title=Mark McGowan|accessdate=29 August 2018}}</ref> His anticipation and ability to read the flow of a game along with his speed were noted as assets to his game.<ref name=sainteunans_mcgowan/>
McGowan was educated at [[St Eunan's College]]. In 2007, in his final year at school, he was part of a team that won a silver medal at the All-Ireland Higher Maths national finals, a competition for Higher Level Mathematic students.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.donegalnow.com/uncategorized/five-row-high-maths-st-eunans-college-students/148725|title=Five in a row in high maths for St. Eunan's College students|work=Donegal Now|date=4 March 2017|accessdate=4 March 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829221139/https://www.donegalnow.com/uncategorized/five-row-high-maths-st-eunans-college-students/148725|archivedate=29 August 2018|quote=Back in 2007, the school won a silver medal with a team members Colm McCormick, Patrick Clear, Luke Kelly and Mark McGowan.}}</ref> He, of course, played Gaelic football for each of the school's teams, where his preference was for defence and his favourite position was left [[cornerback]].<ref name=sainteunans_mcgowan>{{cite web|url=http://www.sainteunans.com/gaamcgowan.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024213830/http://www.sainteunans.com/gaamcgowan.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2006|title=Mark McGowan|accessdate=29 August 2018}}</ref> His anticipation and ability to read the flow of a game along with his speed were noted as assets to his game.<ref name=sainteunans_mcgowan/>


==Playing career==
==Playing career==
===Club===
===Club===
McGowan won five [[Donegal Senior Football Championship]]s with his club. He came on as substitute in the 2007 final, and started the 2008 and 2009 finals as his team completed a three-in-a-row sweep.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/final-glory-at-last-for-eunans-as-glenswilly-fail-on-their-big-day-1092905.html|title=Final glory at last for Eunan's as Glenswilly fail on their big day|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=1 October 2007|accessdate=1 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/kavanagh-haran-set-up-eunans-1490615.html|title=Kavanagh, Haran set up Eunan's|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=6 October 2008|accessdate=6 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/all-too-easy-for-eunans-1904227.html|title=All too easy for Eunan's|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=5 October 2009|accessdate=5 October 2009}}</ref>
McGowan won five [[Donegal Senior Football Championship]]s with his club. He came on as a substitute in the 2007 final, and started the 2008 and 2009 finals as his team completed a three-in-a-row sweep.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/final-glory-at-last-for-eunans-as-glenswilly-fail-on-their-big-day-1092905.html|title=Final glory at last for Eunan's as Glenswilly fail on their big day|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=1 October 2007|accessdate=1 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/kavanagh-haran-set-up-eunans-1490615.html|title=Kavanagh, Haran set up Eunan's|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=6 October 2008|accessdate=6 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/all-too-easy-for-eunans-1904227.html|title=All too easy for Eunan's|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=5 October 2009|accessdate=5 October 2009}}</ref>


He scored the winner in freak circumstances in the 2012 final. With the team level Brendan McDyre of opponents [[C.L.C.G. Naomh Conaill|Naomh Conaill]] attempted to backpass to his goalkeeper Stephen McGrath only for the ball to drift out for a '45'. McGowan stepped up to punish.<ref>{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Keys|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/eunans-survive-storm-3282158.html|title=Eunan's survive storm|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=5 November 2012|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thescore.ie/st-eunans-naomh-conaill-661623-Nov2012/|title=Mark McGowan the scoring hero as St Eunan's crowned Donegal SFC champions|work=The Score|date=5 November 2012|accessdate=5 November 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412185134/http://www.the42.ie/st-eunans-naomh-conaill-661623-Nov2012/|archivedate=12 April 2015|df=}}</ref> As the game ended he was photographed celebrating&mdash;stooped, wild-eyed with open mouth, sweat-soaked, bare thighs tensed, veins throbbing, mud-stained legs apart and clenched fists turned upwards.<ref>{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Keys|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/eunans-accept-glenties-gift-in-freak-finish-to-donegal-final-3282154.html|title=Eunan's accept Glenties gift in freak finish to Donegal final|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=5 November 2012|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref> McGowan was just as influential in the next game, the Ulster quarter-final, and opponents [[Crossmaglen Rangers GAC|Crossmaglen Rangers]] struggled to deal with him as he swept away all before him at Armagh's [[Athletic Grounds]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Keys|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/cross-play-it-their-way-to-thwart-eunans-3290970.html|title=Cross play it their way to thwart Eunan's|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=12 November 2012|accessdate=12 November 2012}}</ref>
He scored the winner in freak circumstances in the 2012 final. With the team level Brendan McDyre of opponents [[Naomh Conaill CLCG|Naomh Conaill]] attempted to backpass to his goalkeeper Stephen McGrath only for the ball to drift out for a '45'. McGowan stepped up to punish.<ref>{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Keys|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/eunans-survive-storm-3282158.html|title=Eunan's survive storm|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=5 November 2012|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thescore.ie/st-eunans-naomh-conaill-661623-Nov2012/|title=Mark McGowan the scoring hero as St Eunan's crowned Donegal SFC champions|work=The Score|date=5 November 2012|accessdate=5 November 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412185134/http://www.the42.ie/st-eunans-naomh-conaill-661623-Nov2012/|archivedate=12 April 2015}}</ref> As the game ended he was photographed celebrating&mdash;stooped, wild-eyed with open mouth, sweat-soaked, bare thighs tensed, veins throbbing, mud-stained legs apart and clenched fists turned upwards.<ref>{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Keys|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/eunans-accept-glenties-gift-in-freak-finish-to-donegal-final-3282154.html|title=Eunan's accept Glenties gift in freak finish to Donegal final|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=5 November 2012|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref> McGowan was just as influential in the next game, the Ulster quarter-final, and opponents [[Crossmaglen Rangers GAC|Crossmaglen Rangers]] struggled to deal with him as he swept away all before him at Armagh's [[Athletic Grounds (Armagh)|Athletic Grounds]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Keys|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/cross-play-it-their-way-to-thwart-eunans-3290970.html|title=Cross play it their way to thwart Eunan's|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=12 November 2012|accessdate=12 November 2012}}</ref>


===Inter-county===
===Inter-county===
McGowan won a Buncrana Cup with the U-16 Donegal football team.<ref name=sainteunans_mcgowan/>
McGowan won a Buncrana Cup with the U-16 Donegal football team.<ref name=sainteunans_mcgowan/>


McGowan played in the final as Donegal won their first Ulster minor title in 10 years at Croke Park in 2006.<ref name=Ulster_MFC_10072006>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/secondhalf-surge-sees-donegal-end-long-title-wait-87073.html|title=Second-half surge sees Donegal end long title wait|newspaper=[[Irish Independent]]|publisher=[[Independent News & Media]]|date=10 July 2006|accessdate=10 July 2006}}</ref> He was part of Donegal's under-21 campaign in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7976742.stm|title=Donegal U21 v Armagh U21 (Wed)|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=1 April 2009|accessdate=1 April 2009}}</ref> He has also lined out for UCD's team.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/donegal-students-in-action-1-2001270|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130217215540/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/donegal-students-in-action-1-2001270|dead-url=yes|archive-date=17 February 2013|title=Donegal students in action|work=Donegal Democrat|publisher=Johnston Press|date=18 January 2010|accessdate=18 January 2010}}</ref> McGowan was drafted into the Donegal senior squad for the first time in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/mccready-expected-to-replace-dunnion-in-donegal-defence-1-1985363|title=McCready expected to replace Dunnion in Donegal defence|newspaper=Donegal Democrat|publisher=Johnston Press|date=15 July 2008|accessdate=15 July 2008|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827142823/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/mccready-expected-to-replace-dunnion-in-donegal-defence-1-1985363|archivedate=27 August 2015|df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7481801.stm|title=Donegal v Roscommon|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=7 July 2008|accessdate=7 July 2008}}</ref> He played in a Senior Championship game against [[Roscommon GAA|Roscommon]] that summer.<ref name=mcgowan_mchugh_called_up/>
McGowan played in the final as Donegal won their first Ulster minor title in 10 years at Croke Park in 2006.<ref name=Ulster_MFC_10072006>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/secondhalf-surge-sees-donegal-end-long-title-wait-87073.html|title=Second-half surge sees Donegal end long title wait|newspaper=[[Irish Independent]]|publisher=[[Independent News & Media]]|date=10 July 2006|accessdate=10 July 2006}}</ref> He was part of Donegal's under-21 campaign in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7976742.stm|title=Donegal U21 v Armagh U21 (Wed)|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=1 April 2009|accessdate=1 April 2009}}</ref> He has also lined out for UCD's team.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/donegal-students-in-action-1-2001270|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217215540/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/donegal-students-in-action-1-2001270|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 February 2013|title=Donegal students in action|work=Donegal Democrat|publisher=Johnston Press|date=18 January 2010|accessdate=18 January 2010}}</ref> McGowan was drafted into the Donegal senior squad for the first time in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/mccready-expected-to-replace-dunnion-in-donegal-defence-1-1985363|title=McCready expected to replace Dunnion in Donegal defence|newspaper=Donegal Democrat|publisher=Johnston Press|date=15 July 2008|accessdate=15 July 2008|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827142823/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/mccready-expected-to-replace-dunnion-in-donegal-defence-1-1985363|archivedate=27 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7481801.stm|title=Donegal v Roscommon|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=7 July 2008|accessdate=7 July 2008}}</ref> He played in a Senior Championship game against [[Roscommon GAA|Roscommon]] that summer.<ref name=mcgowan_mchugh_called_up/>


McGowan declined to join up with Donegal in 2011 due to prior commitments in the United States. [[Jim McGuinness]] said, "We would have liked to have Mark McGowan, too, but unfortunately he had already commitments in the States."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/mcguinness-adds-four-to-his-panel-1-2553471|title=McGuinness adds four to his panel|newspaper=Donegal Democrat|publisher=Johnston Press|date=31 March 2011|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>
McGowan declined to join up with Donegal in 2011 due to prior commitments in the United States. [[Jim McGuinness]] said, "We would have liked to have Mark McGowan, too, but unfortunately he had already commitments in the States."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/mcguinness-adds-four-to-his-panel-1-2553471|title=McGuinness adds four to his panel|newspaper=Donegal Democrat|publisher=Johnston Press|date=31 March 2011|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>


However, McGuinness called McGowan back into the Donegal squad for 2013.<ref name=mcgowan_mchugh_called_up>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/local-sport/mcgowan-and-mchugh-called-up-1-4547353|title=McGowan and McHugh called up|newspaper=Donegal Democrat|publisher=Johnston Press|date=3 December 2012|accessdate=3 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=James|last=McMahon|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2013/0131/365460-preview-allianz-football-league-division-1/|title=Preview: Allianz Football League Division 1|work=RTÉ Sport|publisher=RTÉ|date=31 January 2013|accessdate=31 January 2013|quote=McHugh's brother Ryan, an exciting minor from last year, has joined the squad, while Mark McGowan, a member of the St Eunan's team that won last year's county championship, gets a recall having last featured in the senior ranks in 2008.}}</ref> He then sent him away again.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/local-sport/jim-tweaks-donegal-panel-1-4999579|title=Jim tweaks donegal panel|newspaper=Donegal Democrat|publisher=Johnston Press|date=15 April 2013|accessdate=15 April 2013|quote=Fringe players Peter McGee of Gaoth Dobhair, Mark McGowan from St Eunan's, Naomh Colmcille's Thomas McKinley, St Michael's Antoin McFadden and Shane McGowan of Bundoran will concentrate on club football for the time being.}}</ref>
However, McGuinness called McGowan back into the Donegal squad for 2013.<ref name=mcgowan_mchugh_called_up>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/local-sport/mcgowan-and-mchugh-called-up-1-4547353|title=McGowan and McHugh called up|newspaper=Donegal Democrat|publisher=Johnston Press|date=3 December 2012|accessdate=3 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=James|last=McMahon|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2013/0131/365460-preview-allianz-football-league-division-1/|title=Preview: Allianz Football League Division 1|work=RTÉ Sport|publisher=RTÉ|date=31 January 2013|accessdate=31 January 2013|quote=McHugh's brother Ryan, an exciting minor from last year, has joined the squad, while Mark McGowan, a member of the St Eunan's team that won last year's county championship, gets a recall having last featured in the senior ranks in 2008.}}</ref> He then sent him away again.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/local-sport/jim-tweaks-donegal-panel-1-4999579|title=Jim tweaks donegal panel|newspaper=Donegal Democrat|publisher=Johnston Press|date=15 April 2013|accessdate=15 April 2013|quote=Fringe players Peter McGee of Gaoth Dobhair, Mark McGowan from St Eunan's, Naomh Colmcille's Thomas McKinley, St Michael's Antoin McFadden and Shane {{Not a typo|McGowan}} of Bundoran will concentrate on club football for the time being.}}</ref>


In January 2014, it all became clear. On the third day of that month it was reported that McGowan had been forced to retire from the game at the age of 25. He did so on medical advice he had received since having hip surgery in [[Santry]] in February 2012.<ref name=forced_to_retire>{{cite news|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/county/donegal/article/index/206986|title=Eunan's star McGowan forced to retire|work=Hogan Stand|date=3 January 2014|accessdate=3 January 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828022706/http://www.hoganstand.com/county/donegal/article/index/206986|archivedate=28 August 2018}}</ref>
In January 2014, it all became clear. On the third day of that month it was reported that McGowan had been forced to retire from the game at the age of 25. He did so on medical advice he had received since having hip surgery in [[Santry]] in February 2012.<ref name=forced_to_retire>{{cite news|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/county/donegal/article/index/206986|title=Eunan's star McGowan forced to retire|work=Hogan Stand|date=3 January 2014|accessdate=3 January 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828022706/http://www.hoganstand.com/county/donegal/article/index/206986|archivedate=28 August 2018}}</ref>
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://archive.is/20130123180259/http://www.gaainfo.com/players/football/donegal/Mark%20McGowan.php Mark McGowan] at gaainfo.com
* [https://archive.today/20130123180259/http://www.gaainfo.com/players/football/donegal/Mark%20McGowan.php Mark McGowan] at gaainfo.com


{{Donegal Minor Football Team 2006}}
{{Donegal Minor Football Team 2006}}
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[[Category:St. Eunan's Gaelic footballers]]
[[Category:Irish civil engineers]]
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Latest revision as of 08:32, 1 July 2023

Mark McGowan
Personal information
Sport Gaelic football
Born (1988-05-31) 31 May 1988 (age 36)
County Donegal, Ireland
Occupation Civil engineer
Club(s)
Years Club
200?–2014
 St Eunan's
Club titles
Donegal titles 5
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2008–2014
 Donegal

Mark McGowan (born 31 May 1988) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played for St Eunan's and, at all levels, the Donegal county team.

Known for his defensive play, he could also play further forward in attack and was considered tailor-made for "The System" deployed by Jim McGuinness.[1]

Considered the best left cornerback in his age group in the province of Ulster in 2006,[2] a persistent hip injury forced him to retire from the game at the age of just 25.[3]

Early life

[edit]

McGowan was educated at St Eunan's College. In 2007, in his final year at school, he was part of a team that won a silver medal at the All-Ireland Higher Maths national finals, a competition for Higher Level Mathematic students.[4] He, of course, played Gaelic football for each of the school's teams, where his preference was for defence and his favourite position was left cornerback.[2] His anticipation and ability to read the flow of a game along with his speed were noted as assets to his game.[2]

Playing career

[edit]

Club

[edit]

McGowan won five Donegal Senior Football Championships with his club. He came on as a substitute in the 2007 final, and started the 2008 and 2009 finals as his team completed a three-in-a-row sweep.[5][6][7]

He scored the winner in freak circumstances in the 2012 final. With the team level Brendan McDyre of opponents Naomh Conaill attempted to backpass to his goalkeeper Stephen McGrath only for the ball to drift out for a '45'. McGowan stepped up to punish.[8][9] As the game ended he was photographed celebrating—stooped, wild-eyed with open mouth, sweat-soaked, bare thighs tensed, veins throbbing, mud-stained legs apart and clenched fists turned upwards.[10] McGowan was just as influential in the next game, the Ulster quarter-final, and opponents Crossmaglen Rangers struggled to deal with him as he swept away all before him at Armagh's Athletic Grounds.[11]

Inter-county

[edit]

McGowan won a Buncrana Cup with the U-16 Donegal football team.[2]

McGowan played in the final as Donegal won their first Ulster minor title in 10 years at Croke Park in 2006.[12] He was part of Donegal's under-21 campaign in 2009.[13] He has also lined out for UCD's team.[14] McGowan was drafted into the Donegal senior squad for the first time in 2008.[15][16] He played in a Senior Championship game against Roscommon that summer.[1]

McGowan declined to join up with Donegal in 2011 due to prior commitments in the United States. Jim McGuinness said, "We would have liked to have Mark McGowan, too, but unfortunately he had already commitments in the States."[17]

However, McGuinness called McGowan back into the Donegal squad for 2013.[1][18] He then sent him away again.[19]

In January 2014, it all became clear. On the third day of that month it was reported that McGowan had been forced to retire from the game at the age of 25. He did so on medical advice he had received since having hip surgery in Santry in February 2012.[3]

Honours

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "McGowan and McHugh called up". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Mark McGowan". Archived from the original on 24 October 2006. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Eunan's star McGowan forced to retire". Hogan Stand. 3 January 2014. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Five in a row in high maths for St. Eunan's College students". Donegal Now. 4 March 2017. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2017. Back in 2007, the school won a silver medal with a team members Colm McCormick, Patrick Clear, Luke Kelly and Mark McGowan.
  5. ^ "Final glory at last for Eunan's as Glenswilly fail on their big day". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 1 October 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2007.
  6. ^ "Kavanagh, Haran set up Eunan's". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 6 October 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
  7. ^ "All too easy for Eunan's". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 5 October 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  8. ^ Keys, Colm (5 November 2012). "Eunan's survive storm". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  9. ^ "Mark McGowan the scoring hero as St Eunan's crowned Donegal SFC champions". The Score. 5 November 2012. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  10. ^ Keys, Colm (5 November 2012). "Eunan's accept Glenties gift in freak finish to Donegal final". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  11. ^ Keys, Colm (12 November 2012). "Cross play it their way to thwart Eunan's". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  12. ^ a b "Second-half surge sees Donegal end long title wait". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 10 July 2006. Retrieved 10 July 2006.
  13. ^ "Donegal U21 v Armagh U21 (Wed)". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 April 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  14. ^ "Donegal students in action". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 18 January 2010. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
  15. ^ "McCready expected to replace Dunnion in Donegal defence". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 15 July 2008. Archived from the original on 27 August 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2008.
  16. ^ "Donegal v Roscommon". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 July 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2008.
  17. ^ "McGuinness adds four to his panel". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  18. ^ McMahon, James (31 January 2013). "Preview: Allianz Football League Division 1". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. Retrieved 31 January 2013. McHugh's brother Ryan, an exciting minor from last year, has joined the squad, while Mark McGowan, a member of the St Eunan's team that won last year's county championship, gets a recall having last featured in the senior ranks in 2008.
  19. ^ "Jim tweaks donegal panel". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2013. Fringe players Peter McGee of Gaoth Dobhair, Mark McGowan from St Eunan's, Naomh Colmcille's Thomas McKinley, St Michael's Antoin McFadden and Shane McGowan of Bundoran will concentrate on club football for the time being.
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