John Devine (Gaelic footballer)

John Devine is a Gaelic football goalkeeper for the Errigal Ciarán club and the Tyrone county team. For his county, Devine was in competition for the position with Pascal McConnell, Johnny Curran and Niall Morgan, but all three players maintained a good relationship, with McConnell being his rival for the best part of 10 years.

John Devine
Personal information
Irish name Seán Ó Daimhín
Sport Gaelic football
Position Goalkeeper
Born (1983-06-13) 13 June 1983 (age 41)
Tyrone
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Occupation Teacher
Club(s)
Years Club
Errigal Ciarán
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2002-2013
Tyrone
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 4
All-Irelands 3
NFL 2
All Stars 0

As of 2021, Devine is still playing Club Football for Errigal Ciarán at the age of 38.

Playing career

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Club

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Devine represents the Errigal Ciarán club. He holds three county titles with the club, and one Ulster club title in 2002.[1]

Inter-county

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After winning the 2001 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship with Tyrone, Devine made his debut for the senior team at the age of 19 in 2002 against Leitrim.[1] He was the goalkeeper for Tyrone in their first All-Ireland-winning year, but was the substitute goalie when Tyrone repeated the feat in 2005.[2]

He was due to start the 2008 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final on 21 September; however the night before the game his father died.[3] The Tyrone team went on to win their third All-Ireland of the decade, and dedicated the win to their absent goalkeeper, having worn black armbands throughout the match.[4]

After two shoulder re-construction surgeries, he went on to captain the Tyrone senior team to McKenna cup victory in 2012. Devine announced his retirement from inter-county football in March 2013 to concentrate on his career with Errigal Ciarán.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "John Devine retires from inter-county football with Tyrone". RTÉ Sport. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  2. ^ "Tyrone are 2005 All-Ireland senior football champions". Hogan Stand. 25 September 2005. Retrieved 25 September 2005.
  3. ^ "Kerry v Tyrone (21 Sept)". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 September 2008. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
  4. ^ Rutherford, Adrian (24 September 2008). "Tyrone heroes at funeral of team mate's dad". The Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 24 September 2008.