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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Some details regarding the original assault would be helpful!

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.

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.

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."

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?!

Glad youre on the med Mark.

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.