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Mark McGovern reveals the horrific aftermath of assault in San Francisco GAA match

Fermanagh man has lost his girlfriend a year after off the ball clash

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Thursday, July 5, 2012, 8:11 AM

Updated Thursday, July 5, 2012, 8:11 AM

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Mark McGovern

Photo by Screen grab from BBC

A year after he was brutally assaulted during a gaelic football match in San Francisco, Mark McGovern is back home in Fermanagh and desperately trying to get his life back.

The 23-year-old former inter-county footballer has revealed for the first time the full cost of the on-field attack last year.

His first match for the Ulster GAA club in San Francisco, on only his fifth day in America, has had a devastating effect on Mark’s life.

An almost fatal off-the-ball blow from an opponent has left Mark in need of medical care as he comes to terms with the enormity of his Californian nightmare.

Doctors say he will make a full recovery but in the 12 months since the attack, Mark has split up with his girlfriend and freely admits that his relationship with his family just hasn’t been the same.

As his assailant, from the Celts club, awaits the outcome of a police investigation in San Francisco, Mark has revealed that even a return to the city last month couldn’t end quickly enough.

The Belcoo native told the Belfast Telegraph: “I was actually going to stay over for the summer and help with coaching and training of the team.

“I didn’t get a summer out of it last year. I wanted to experience it. I went back and I was kind of glad that I didn’t stay. Even three weeks was long enough... too many bad memories. Sleep at night wasn’t great.”

His next visit to America won’t be in the short term – if ever.

Mark added: “I don’t know, maybe time will heal it. At the minute I am happy to be home.”
McGovern also revealed the price he has paid for that horrific incident.

“Relationships have just gone,” he said. “Everything has just left me. My relationship with my family just isn’t the same as it was. My girlfriend and I have broken up because of this.

“I’ve had to accept so much, like the fact that I can’t play football again. I’ve accepted that now. I’m now coaching, I’m still involved.

“It’s been said by many doctors that it’s a miracle. Honestly, I’m just glad I’m here today.”

Nster.com

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11 Comments

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ciaradexy | Jul 06, 2012, 11:13 AM EDT

Cynicus, I know plenty of fantastic Americans, it just seems to be that the idiot Americans flock to this site and pretend they know Ireland. If you read my comment properly then you would know exactly what Im talking about. Plenty of Americans on here constantly telling me that my people are violent, drunk, uneducated etc and yet here is a prime example of crime in the US of which there are plenty and yet there arent any Irish people on here constantly bringing this to your attention. Maybe its because Irish people are realists unlike Americans who have some strange image of how Ireland should be. You mentioned 'Irish derivatives'. They are just called Americans.

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cynicus | Jul 06, 2012, 10:33 AM EDT

ciaradexy, no point in venting your considerable spleen on 'Americans.' This is an Irish sport with mostly Irish or Irish 'derivatives' playing the games. One wonders why you have such anti-American sentiments! We Irish are not found wanting when it comes to brutality, violence and drunkenness, in the home or on the playing-fields. Not to mention our Irish fascist, murderous 'freedom-fighters' that have sullied this nation for generations- slaughtering men, women and children - even the unborn children - in the pursuit of evil blood-letting! THe sort that can shake the Queen's glove but not apologise to their Irish victims, among others.

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cynicus | Jul 06, 2012, 10:26 AM EDT

This type of brutal violence is not usually a feature of Irish-American GAA games. However, in GAA games, there is little respect for the rules and match officials, especually the referee. It is almost endemic in Ireland. The culture of disrespect for rules, and mean-spirited foul play is ruining GAA football is the reason why so many of today's youth take up other sports. Hurling is a more honest and sporting game. Soccer and rugby tend to have instilled more respect for the rules and match officials in their young players. This carries over to the adult games. I trust that the police investigation will lead to a court prosecution and an appropriate ruling. And that witnesses will not fail to do their duty to law and order.

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Searlit | Jul 05, 2012, 06:36 PM EDT

He's from NI. I read about the attack in an article here, then. He went to California to play in some Gaelic football. An American, of Irish descent hit him after the play. He immediately fell and was going into convulsions, as he sustained a severe brain injury. The doctors didn't have any hope for recovery for him, only his family and girlfriend stayed by his bedside, not giving up hope. Many of us, even though we don't know him, were praying for him, too.

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bunkerisland | Jul 05, 2012, 02:48 PM EDT

Some details regarding the original assault would be helpful!

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Chicago1 | Jul 05, 2012, 01:52 PM EDT

Glad to read he has made such a remarkable recovery. Hopfully his personal life will also turn around soon. I know his attacker was another player. Is he an American? I'm just curious.

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Searlit | Jul 05, 2012, 01:50 PM EDT

This is such an amazing display of courage and will power. Mark McGovern is healing physically, thanks to emergency care, his family, and many prayers to God for his recovery. Emotional healing takes longer. Good to hear the young man has a positive prognosis from the doctors now.

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jamieLM | Jul 05, 2012, 12:41 PM EDT

People who pass judgment on an entire country by the deplorable actions of a few, have a brain smaller than the size of a pin head. No country can claim that all of their citizens are "squeaky clean."

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ciaradexy | Jul 05, 2012, 12:31 PM EDT

What a sad story. Americans dont even have to be drunk to attack and try to kill someone. George, youre constantly complaining about us Irish being drunk and attacking people and heres one of your own, not to mention the 2 Americans who killed the irish girl in Japan. Not so squeaky clean now are your people?!

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ciaradexy | Jul 05, 2012, 11:47 AM EDT

Glad youre on the med Mark.

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WoundedKnee | Jul 05, 2012, 08:53 AM EDT

This is so sad. But its good to read "Doctors say he will make a full recovery". Good Wishes to this young man. He has a long life ahead of him.

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