Joe McGovern - Across the Water Straight to my Football Heart

A wee goalkeeper was born March 2nd 1994, in Eniskillen, Northern Ireland. His name, Joe McGovern.

Joe signed for Dundee United on June 30th 2011. He knew what Dundee United was like due to his older brother Michael McGovern having played for them for a spell before moving onto Falkirk where he is situated now.


Joe is a team regular for the Under 20s. Goal minder McGovern does well  in every game he plays, managing to keep as many clean sheets for the Under 20s as he can, throughout the past few seasons playing for Dundee United. However in 2011-2012 season, he was unable to play due to registering issues along with injuries. This would mean that he would sit the first year of his two year contract out.


In 2012-2013 season, Joe came back fighting fit and ready to mind the goals once again. Throughout this season, along with other goalkeepers there was a bit of competition to see who would play for that particular game. Throughout this season Joe done all the work he could to get into the team on a regular basses. He managed to do this gaining many caps throughout this season.

In May 2013, Joe signed a one year extension onto his existing contract which would see him secure a place at Dundee United until the end of the 2013/2014 season. Through the 2013/14 season, Joe has played in most games so far, he has only had to share his caps with first team sub keeper Marc McCallum.


Also during the 2013/2014 season, Joe got put out on emergency loan to League Two side Clyde. This was due to both keepers being out injured. For the 19 year old this was the first experience of proper first team goal minding. In my personal opinion, I think Joe done perfectly well for someone who had been playing in the Under 20s League most of his playing career. After his time at Clyde, I hope this allows the first team Gaffer to see how well he is doing and hopefully give him a chance next season in the first team squad.

In my personal opinion on Joe as a player, he does loads of work in training which pays of during Under 20s. I think it helps that himself, McCallum and Cierzniak all train together. It gives Joe the experience of training with the first team goalkeeper. In every game I have seen him play in he has done so well, like every keeper they should be able to save the team if the defence does something wrong. Joe does this fantastically, the only time I have seen him not be at his best is when he takes to trying to save a penalty. However, most keepers aren't good when they are up against a penalty. I also think that if Clyde think he is good enough to choose him to be the keeper they take on loan till the keepers are fit again, he must be a pretty good keeper considering they could of had anyone from any other club.

However, on more of a personal level, over the past few season I have became to like Joe more and more as a player. I never thought I would see myself liking a keeper. But this Northern Irishmen managed to change my opinion on liking keepers. Whenever I have met him he is always amazing with me, standing to pose for photos as well as having wee chats with me. I never thought that someone would be this amazing with me, although himself and ex team mate Ryan Lundie have both been fantastic with me.


I really hope to see Joe go onto bigger and better things. If that means leaving United then it's what is good for his career. I personally would love to see him keep playing at United and build up more skills that I know he has.