John McGovern (footballer, born 2002)

For the former Nottingham Forest captain, see John McGovern (footballer, born 1949).
John McGovern
Personal information
Full name John McGovern
Date of birth (2002-10-17) 17 October 2002
Place of birth Newry, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Shamrock Rovers
Number 88
Youth career
–2019 Windmill Stars
2019 Newry City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2024 Newry City 94 (18)
2024–2025 Dungannon Swifts 34 (13)
2025– Shamrock Rovers 1 (0)
International career‡
2019 Northern Ireland U19 2 (0)
2021–2022 Northern Ireland U21 7 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16:36, 22 July 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 16:36, 22 July 2025 (UTC)

John McGovern (born 17 October 2002) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker for League of Ireland Premier Division club Shamrock Rovers.

Career

Youth career

Newry, County Down native McGovern began playing football with local club Windmill Stars, before moving to Newry City in 2019.[1]

Newry City

On 31 July 2019, McGovern signed for NIFL Championship club Newry City's senior team, despite being just 16 years of age.[2] On 31 August 2019, he scored the first goal of his senior career, in a 2–2 draw at home to Knockbreda.[3] He scored 9 goals in 33 appearances to help the club win the 2021–22 NIFL Championship to win promotion to the NIFL Premiership.[4] On 24 November 2023, he played alongside his younger brother Paul, who was aged 15, for the first time, in a 3–0 defeat to Glenavon.[5] He departed his hometown club in the summer of 2024 after they were relegated to the NIFL Championship.[6]

Dungannon Swifts

On 12 June 2024, McGovern signed for NIFL Premiership club Dungannon Swifts on a two-year-contract.[7] On 3 May 2025, McGovern scored in the final of the 2024–25 Irish Cup as his side defeated Cliftonville on penalties after a 1–1 draw at Windsor Park.[8] He scored 20 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions in his first season with the club.[9]

Shamrock Rovers

On 27 May 2025, it was announced that McGovern had signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Shamrock Rovers for an undisclosed fee, with the transfer officially going through on 1 July 2025.[10][11][12] He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 victory away to Gibraltarian side St Joseph's in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round on 24 July 2025.[13]

International career

In 2019, McGovern was capped twice for the Northern Ireland U19 side, before receiving 7 caps for the Northern Ireland U21 side from 2021 to 2022.[14]

Personal life

He is the older brother of fellow professional footballer Paul McGovern who plays in the NIFL Premiership, with the pair previously having played together for Newry City.[5] McGovern is a former member of the Down GAA senior Gaelic football team, winning the Tailteann Cup in 2024.[15][16][17] He has completed a degree in Business and IT at Queen's University Belfast, graduating in 2025.[15]

Career statistics

As of match played on 24 July 2025[18]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Newry City 2019–20 NIFL Championship 22 4 0 0 0 0 – – 22 4
2021–22 33 9 3 0 1 0 – – 37 9
2022–23 NIFL Premiership 18 4 1 1 0 0 – – 19 5
2023–24 21 1 1 0 1 0 – – 23 1
Total 94 18 5 1 2 0 – – 106 19
Dungannon Swifts 2024–25 NIFL Premiership 34 13 5 5 2 2 – – 41 20
Shamrock Rovers 2025 LOI Premier Division 1 0 1 0 – 1[c] 1 – 3 1
Career total 129 31 11 6 4 2 1 1 0 0 145 40
  1. ^ Includes the Irish Cup & FAI Cup
  2. ^ Includes the Northern Ireland Football League Cup
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in the UEFA Conference League

Honours

Newry City
Dungannon Swifts

References

  1. ^ O'Hare, Columba (June 27, 2013). "Stars Of The Future". Newry.ie.
  2. ^ https://newrycityafc.co.uk/2019/07/31/mcgovern-signs-at-the-showgrounds/
  3. ^ "2019-08-31 - Newry City v Knockbreda". NI Football League.
  4. ^ "Newry City: 'It was a case of winning it by any means' - manager Mullen". BBC Sport. May 4, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "'It's a proud day with both brothers playing on the same pitch at the best level of football this country has to offer.'". Belfast News Letter. November 26, 2023.
  6. ^ "Irish League: Newry City relegated as Portadown win Championship". BBC Sport. April 20, 2024.
  7. ^ "Dungannon Swifts announce arrival of former Newry City star and Northern Ireland youth international John McGovern". Belfast News Letter. June 12, 2024.
  8. ^ "Dungannon Swifts win Irish Cup for first time after thrilling penalty victory over Cliftonville". May 3, 2025 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  9. ^ "Dungannon Swifts ace's big move shines a new spotlight on entire club, insists Thomas Maguire". June 27, 2025 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  10. ^ "Rovers sign John McGovern 27 May 2025".
  11. ^ "Shamrock Rovers sign former Down footballer John McGovern". The Irish Times.
  12. ^ "John McGovern: Striker leaves Dungannon Swifts to join Shamrock Rovers". BBC Sport. May 27, 2025.
  13. ^ O'Connell, Dylan. "Four-goal Shamrock Rovers earn big victory in Gibraltar". rte.ie. RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  14. ^ "I'd be delighted to receive a senior Northern Ireland call-up: new League of Ireland star". May 31, 2025 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  15. ^ a b Ferris, Macdara. "John McGovern fully focused on his football as his excitement builds for European campaign with Shamrock Rovers". extratime.com.
  16. ^ "From Croke Park to Tallaght Stadium via Windsor Park – John McGovern targets Euro stage with Hoops after parking GAA career". www.independent.ie. July 21, 2025.
  17. ^ Casey, Gavan (May 27, 2025). "Shamrock Rovers sign ex-Down GAA player, highly rated youngster commits to Bohs". The 42.
  18. ^ "Northern Ireland - J. McGovern - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
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