As Donegal goalkeeping coach, Shovelin was responsible for the training of county netminders Paul Durcan and Michael Boyle.[1] Shovelin considered Durcan to be as influential as Peter Schmeichel.[7]
Shovelin graduated through the ranks with manager Jim McGuinness, with the pair previously working together with the Donegal under-21 football team.[8][9] His style was that of "always-smiling and ever-mischievous".[10]
Shovelin was with Donegal when they won the 2011 NFL Division 2 title at Croke Park in 2011. He was awarded medals on the basis of Donegal successes at senior and U21 levels.[11]
Though diagnosed with liver cancer, he continued as part of the Donegal under-21 team that won an Ulster title in April 2017, and died that October.[12]
Personal life
He was married. His first child was born on the Wednesday before Donegal won the 2012 All-Ireland SFC final.[1][13] He and Shay Given were close.[12]
^McNulty, Chris (1 March 2013). "'Papa' set for 100th appearance". Donegal News. Retrieved 1 March 2013. 'I would liken his to the influence that Peter Schmeichel (the former Manchester United goalkeeper) used to have', says Shovelin. 'He is a massive voice in the dressing room and a massive influence in the squad… Like Schmeichel used to, Paul can really control games. He is so good with his team-mates too, whether it's a senior player or a youngster'. Shovelin began working with Durcan and Michael Boyle in the winter of 2010 following McGuinness's appointment.
^"Donegal U-21s hit by virus". Donegal Democrat. 4 May 2010. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Manager Jim McGuinness and his goalkeeping coach Pat Shovlin were also laid low with the bug, manager McGuinness confirmed after Saturday evening's game.
^"Paul Durcan". Gaelic Life. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011. Pat Shovlin is there. He was involved with the u-21s last year, was the goal-keeping coach for them, so Jim brought him along to the senior set-up.[dead link]
^"Donegal Now". 2 April 2012. Paddy McGrath, Conor Classon, Peter McNelis and Pat Shovlin all picked up medals off the back of Donegal senior and U21 successes.
Above is the Donegal team that defeated Derry in the Ulster SFC final.
The 2011 Donegal football team progressed to the 2011 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-finals, where they lost narrowly to eventual title-winners Dublin. Donegal defeated Kildare after extra-time in the All-Ireland quarter-final.