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Stephen Bradley hails John McGovern for ‘hitting the ground running' after first Shamrock Rovers goal vs St Joseph's
Stephen Bradley hails John McGovern for ‘hitting the ground running' after first Shamrock Rovers goal vs St Joseph's

The Irish Sun

time24-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Irish Sun

Stephen Bradley hails John McGovern for ‘hitting the ground running' after first Shamrock Rovers goal vs St Joseph's

STEPHEN BRADLEY praised John McGovern for being pitch perfect on his Conference League debut after scoring his first goal for Shamrock Rovers. The 22-year-old came off the bench to score the third in a 2 John McGovern scored as Shamrock Rovers beat St Joseph's 4-0 Credit: Salva Castizo/Sportsfile 2 Stephen Bradley praised his impact Credit: Salva Castizo/Sportsfile It was his first goal since joining the club from Dungannon Swifts in May. And Bradley said: 'I think he showed real glimpses, and he has done since he came in, of why we wanted him here, why we worked hard to get him here. 'There are still bits that he needs to learn and tidy up on. How we play, how we press. 'He will get that but for someone to come in and hit the ground running , like he has, has been great to see and long may that continue.' Read More on Shamrock Rovers While Rory Gaffney had given Rovers the lead in the first-half at the Europa Point Stadium, it was in the second-half that they pulled away. And it was the League of Ireland leaders' bench press that paid dividends. Josh Honohan which directly led to Danny Mandroiu doubling their lead. McGovern made it 3-0 within two minutes of his introduction on 71 minutes from a cross from fellow replacement Michael Noonan. Most read in Football And Byrne scored the fourth from the edge of the box with 15 minutes to go. Bradley added: 'We have seen how important the bench has been this year and again tonight it was evident, and it is going to be evident going forward. Shamrock Rovers snap up Northern Ireland Under-21s goal-getter as Stephen Bradley gives exciting verdict 'There are players on the bench, there are players at home that feel they deserve to start and that's how it should be when you have a strong group, but it is very important, when they come on, that they do their business and contribute and take us up a level. 'The subs did that tonight which was really pleasing to see.' With his side all-but through, Bradley confirmed plans to shuffle the pack when St Joseph's come to Tallaght on July 31 with a crunch league game against Derry three days later. New signing Connor Malley will not be one of those due to having been registered too late following his loan move from Sligo , but will debut in a friendly against Ballymena on Saturday.

Meet the new Shamrock Rovers striker who is a Tailteann Cup winner with Down
Meet the new Shamrock Rovers striker who is a Tailteann Cup winner with Down

Irish Daily Mirror

time21-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Irish Daily Mirror

Meet the new Shamrock Rovers striker who is a Tailteann Cup winner with Down

He is a Tailteann Cup winner with Down, but it's not his Gaelic football career that is on an upward curve. John McGovern has committed his future to the 11-a-side game and after a first start for his new club Shamrock Rovers he now has his eye on a European debut. McGovern arrived at the Hoops after an impressive campaign with Dungannon Swifts last year, when he scored 14 goals in 29 appearances. He could have signed for Rovers last January, but was determined to finish his Business and Information Technology studies in Queens University. A sporting all-rounder, with Collingwood Cup credentials too, he will travel to Gibraltar with the rest of Stephen Bradley's squad tomorrow ahead of Thursday's Europa Conference League clash. 'For me, whenever I was joining, it was the chance of European football as well, that there would be European football there as well,' he said of his decision to move to Rovers. 'So it's an exciting venture for me, playing in Europe for the first time.' But for a controversial red card, McGovern could have been heading back up north this week to face Cliftonville in Europe. Instead, it's their conquerors St Joseph's. John McGovern made his first Shamrock Rovers start in their FAI Cup win against Wexford (Image: INPHO/James Lawlor) 'No team that gets into Europe will be a pushover, we know that, the manager and the club know that,' said the 22-year-old. 'Whenever you go into Europe it won't be easy or smooth sailing. 'Rovers have shown down the years that they deserve to be in Europe, they have worked hard and done well, that's why we are here.' A former underage international with Northern Ireland, McGovern could easily have opted to continue playing Gaelic football for Ballyholland GAC and Down. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . 'We won the Tailteann Cup last summer,' he said of his time with the senior intercounty side. 'I balanced both sports from the age of five, I went back and always wanted to play for Down. 'Things were not going too well with Newry City at the time I was there, so I went back and wanted to keep fit and give it a crack at playing Gaelic. 'I went for six months and we won a Tailteann but I had to dedicate the final year to playing for Dungannon and Newry, and ended up here. 'Putting that focus on playing soccer has paid off.' While Rovers had come in for McGovern last winter, he also had contact from clubs across the water. An opportunity to play for the Hoops, he says, was too good to turn down. 'That was my final year in university so it was about getting a full season under my belt playing Premiership football and getting my university degree done, then exploring options,' he explained. 'So throughout the year I dedicated myself to playing for Dungannon and then my university. 'Stephen Bradley contacted me in January and tried to bring me in, the timing wasn't right then but I said I'd be hugely interested. 'Rovers are the biggest club in Ireland. You could go across the water, clubs in Scotland and lower league clubs in England were interested, but you look at the success Rovers have had since they were founded, league titles, FAI Cups and Europe most years, that was an incentive for me. 'I want to get better playing with better players at a bigger club so it was a good step for me so playing LOI was something I wanted to do.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .

From Croke Park to Tallaght Stadium via Windsor Park – John McGovern targets Euro stage with Hoops after parking GAA career
From Croke Park to Tallaght Stadium via Windsor Park – John McGovern targets Euro stage with Hoops after parking GAA career

Irish Independent

time21-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Irish Independent

From Croke Park to Tallaght Stadium via Windsor Park – John McGovern targets Euro stage with Hoops after parking GAA career

Shamrock Rovers supporters are still in the getting-to-know-you phase of their relationship with new signing John McGovern, the Newry-born forward who made his full debut for the Hoops in last week's comfortable FAI Cup defeat of Wexford. A bigger test than that comfortable 4-0 win is on the horizon this week as McGovern (22) looks to his first taste of European football, the Hoops away to St Joseph's of Gibraltar in their Europa Conference League second round tie on Thursday (5pm).

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