Michael McGovern

This article is about the Northern Ireland footballer. For other uses, see Michael McGovern (disambiguation).
Michael McGovern
Personal information
Date of birth (1984-07-12) 12 July 1984
Place of birth Enniskillen, Northern Ireland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Norwich City
Number 33
Youth career
0000–2001 Enniskillen Town United
2001–2004 Celtic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2008 Celtic 0 (0)
2005 → Stranraer (loan) 19 (0)
2006 → St Johnstone (loan) 1 (0)
2008–2009 Dundee United 0 (0)
2009–2011 Ross County 71 (0)
2011–2014 Falkirk 105 (0)
2014–2016 Hamilton Academical 75 (0)
2016– Norwich City 15 (0)
National team‡
Northern Ireland U19 3 (0)
2005–2006 Northern Ireland U21 10 (0)
2010– Northern Ireland 19 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:52, 5 November 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17:29, 12 November 2016 (UTC)

Michael McGovern (born 12 July 1984) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Norwich City and the Northern Ireland national team.

Born in Enniskillen, McGovern started his career with Scottish Premier League club Celtic in 2001, but left in 2008 without making a first team appearance. He joined Second Division side Stranraer on loan in January 2005, then in 2006 went to First Division side St Johnstone on an emergency loan. After leaving Celtic he joined fellow SPL side Dundee United but left after one season having not made a first team appearance. In 2009 he went back to the First Division with Ross County, where he enjoyed a successful two-year spell. In 2011 he moved again on a free transfer to fellow First Division side Falkirk. He then moved to Hamilton Academical in 2014, before leaving Scotland for the first time since his early days at hometown club Enniskillen. After spending 15 years playing in Scotland, McGovern moved to English club Norwich City in July 2016.

He represented Northern Ireland at under-19 and under-21 level, before making his senior debut in May 2010. He represented Northern Ireland at UEFA Euro 2016.

Club career

Celtic

McGovern joined Celtic in July 2001 from home town junior club Enniskillen Town United. His first involvement with the first team squad was as a substitute at the Camp Nou during Celtic's Champions League match against Barcelona.[1] Later that season, McGovern moved on loan to Stranraer,[2] where he made nineteen appearances and the following season, joined St Johnstone on a one-month emergency loan,[3] playing once. At Celtic he managed to pick up a Scottish Cup winners medal in 2004[4] and 2007,[5] both times as an unused substitute.

Dundee United

On 17 June 2008, McGovern agreed a pre-contract move to Dundee United, signing a one-year deal.[6] He failed to make a first-team appearance for United and Manager Craig Levein confirmed McGovern's departure in May 2009,[7]

Ross County

McGovern moved to Ross County in late June 2009[8] and enjoyed a successful first season with the club, making 50 appearances.[9] These included the 2010 Scottish Cup Final which Ross County lost 3–0 to McGovern's former club Dundee United[10] and his full international debut.[9]

In his second season at the club McGovern saved two penalties in a 4–3 penalty shoot-out win against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Challenge Cup semi-final on 10 October 2010.[11] He played in the final on 10 April 2011, as Ross County lifted the trophy after a 2–0 win against Queen of the South at McDiarmid Park.[12] McGovern left Ross County at the end of the 2010–11 Scottish First Division season.[13]

Falkirk

After leaving Ross County, McGovern joined up with St Johnstone for pre-season training[14] before he signed for Falkirk on 20 July 2011.[15] He quickly established himself as first choice goalkeeper and on 21 September 2011, played in Falkirk's 3–2 Scottish League Cup win over holders Rangers.[16] On 1 April 2012, he played for Falkirk in their 1–0 win over Hamilton in the 2012 Scottish Challenge Cup Final.[17] At the end of the season he won the Falkirk players' Player of the Year award and Falkirk Supporters Club Player of the Year award. He was among four players nominated for the PFA Scotland 1st Division Player of the year award and he was named in the PFA Scotland 2012–13 First Division Team of the Year.[18] On 17 May 2012, he signed a new one-year contract.[19]

McGovern was named Falkirk Players' Player of the Year for the second year in succession at the end of the 2012–13 season.[20] He signed a new one-year deal at Falkirk on 24 June 2013,[21] and upon the departure of Darren Dods, was appointed club captain. On 5 April 2014, he made his 100th league appearance for Falkirk, playing and keeping a clean sheet in a 5–0 win against Cowdenbeath. On 18 April 2014, McGovern was named in the PFA Scotland 2013–14 Championship Team of the year.[22]

Hamilton Academical

On 9 June 2014, McGovern signed for Scottish Premiership club Hamilton Academical on a one-year contract.[23] He made his debut on 2 August 2014, in a 2–1 win against Arbroath in the Scottish League Cup.[24] On 5 October 2014 he played in Hamilton's 1–0 victory over Celtic which was their first victory at Celtic Park in 76 years.[25] During September and October 2014, McGovern set a club record of 437 minutes without conceding a goal in the Scottish top flight.[26] On 28 November 2014, he extended his contract at Hamilton by a further year until 2016.[27] In January 2015, McGovern became club captain after the incumbent Martin Canning was promoted to manager following Alex Neil's departure to Norwich.

Norwich City

On 19 July 2016, it was revealed that McGovern had signed for Championship club Norwich City on a three-year deal.[28] He made his debut on 13 August, replacing John Ruddy at half-time in Norwich's 0–0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.[29]

International career

In March 2008, McGovern – whose sister is a defender for the Northern Ireland women's international team – received his first call-up to the Northern Ireland squad.[30]

McGovern made his full debut for Northern Ireland, on 31 May 2010, in a 1–0 loss to Chile. He came on at half-time for Alan Blayney, and made a "stunning" save from a long-range effort by Marco Estrada.[31] McGovern had to wait until 2015 for his second cap, after which he quickly became the number one goalkeeper for Northern Ireland, helping them qualify for Euro 2016 as qualifying group winners. He received plaudits for a series of "heroic saves" that restricted Germany to a 1–0 win during the group stages of the Euro 16 finals on 21 June 2016, keeping Northern Ireland's goal difference down and helping them qualify for the knockout round of 16.[32]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 5 November 2016[33][34]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other[35] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Celtic 2003–04 0000000000
2004–05 0000000000
2005–06 0000000000
2006–07 0000000000
2007–08 0000000000
Total 0000000000
Stranraer (loan) 2004–05 190000000190
St Johnstone (loan) 2006–07 1000000010
Dundee United 2008–09 0000000000
Ross County 2009–10 350703040490
2010–11 360303050470
Total 7101006090960
Falkirk 2011–12 350205050470
2012–13 350402020430
2013–14 350103060450
Total 1050701001301350
Hamilton Academical 2014–15 380104000430
2015–16 370101000390
Total 750205000820
Norwich City 2016–17 150000000150
Career total 28601902102203480

International

As of match played 11 November 2016[36]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Northern Ireland 201010
201100
201200
201300
201400
201580
2016100
Total190

Honours

Celtic
Ross County
Falkirk

References

  1. ↑ "McGovern on Celtic bench". BBC Sport. 24 March 2004. Retrieved 17 June 2008.
  2. ↑ "McGovern joins Stranraer on loan". BBC Sport. 1 January 2005. Retrieved 17 June 2008.
  3. ↑ "Celtic's McGovern moves to Saints". BBC Sport. 1 December 2006. Retrieved 17 June 2008.
  4. 1 2 "Larsson caps Celtic triumph". BBC Sport. 22 May 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  5. 1 2 Taylor, Julian (26 May 2007). "Dunfermline 0–1 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Dundee United make double swoop". BBC Sport. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 17 June 2008.
  7. ↑ "Dixon delight at award from fellow Arabs". The Courier. 6 May 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
  8. ↑ "Keeper McGovern heads to County". BBC Sport. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2009.
  9. 1 2 Friel, David (3 June 2010). "Michael capped off epic season". The Scottish Sun. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  10. 1 2 McGuigan, Thomas (15 May 2010). "Dundee Utd 3–0 Ross County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "ALBA Cup semi final: Ross County 2 Partick Thistle 2 (4–3 after pens)". Daily Record. 11 October 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  12. 1 2 Miller, Stevie (10 April 2011). "Queen of the South 0–2 Ross County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  13. ↑ Linton, Graham (18 June 2011). "McGovern set to depart County". The Inverness Courier. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  14. ↑ Spence, Jim (23 June 2011). "Goalkeeper Michael McGovern trains with St Johnstone". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "McGovern signs for Falkirk". BBC Sport. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  16. ↑ "Falkirk 3–2 Rangers". BBC Sport. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  17. 1 2 "Falkirk 1–0 Hamilton Accies". BBC Sport. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  18. ↑ Ross, Jack (3 May 2012). "PFA SCOTLAND DIVISION ONE TEAM OF THE YEAR". PFA Scotland. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  19. ↑ "Falkirk seal new contract for Michael McGovern". The Falkirk Herald. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  20. ↑ "McGovern voted players' player of the year". The Falkirk Herald. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  21. ↑ "MCGOVERN DEAL CONFIRMED". Falkirk F.C. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  22. ↑ Ross, Jack (18 April 2014). "TEAMS OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED". PFA Scotland. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  23. ↑ "Hamilton Accies sign Michael McGovern and Kieran MacDonald". BBC Sport. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  24. ↑ "Hamilton 2–1 Arbroath". BBC Sport. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  25. ↑ Campbell, Andy (5 October 2014). "Celtic 0–1 Hamilton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  26. ↑ McGilvray, Andy (31 October 2014). "My shut-out record means nothing to me at the moment, says Hamilton goalkeeper Michael McGovern". Daily Record. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  27. ↑ "Michael McGovern: Hamilton Accies goalkeeper signs new deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  28. ↑ "MICHAEL MCGOVERN JOINS NORWICH CITY". Norwich City. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  29. ↑ "Norwich City 0–0 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 13 August 2016.
  30. ↑ "Johnson returns for Bulgaria game". BBC Sport. 25 January 2008. Retrieved 17 June 2008.
  31. ↑ "Chile 1–0 Northern Ireland: Paredes Header Decides Tame World Cup 2010 Warm-Up". Goal. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  32. ↑ Bevan, Chris (21 June 2016). "Euro 2016: Northern Ireland 0–1 Germany – player ratings". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  33. ↑ Michael McGovern career statistics at Soccerbase
  34. ↑ "Michael McGovern player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  35. ↑ Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup and SPFL play-offs.
  36. ↑ "McGovern, Michael". National Football Teams. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
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