Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan (born 31 May 1988) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played for St Eunan's and, at all levels, the Donegal county team.

Known for his defensive play, he could also play further forward in attack and was considered tailor-made for "The System" deployed by Jim McGuinness. He, of course, played Gaelic football for each of the school's teams, where his preference was for defence and his favourite position was left cornerback. His anticipation and ability to read the flow of a game along with his speed were noted as assets to his game.

He scored the winner in freak circumstances in the 2012 final. With the team level Brendan McDyre of opponents Naomh Conaill attempted to backpass to his goalkeeper Stephen McGrath only for the ball to drift out for a '45'. McGowan stepped up to punish. As the game ended he was photographed celebrating—stooped, wild-eyed with open mouth, sweat-soaked, bare thighs tensed, veins throbbing, mud-stained legs apart and clenched fists turned upwards. McGowan was just as influential in the next game, the Ulster quarter-final, and opponents Crossmaglen Rangers struggled to deal with him as he swept away all before him at Armagh's Athletic Grounds.

Inter-county McGowan won a Buncrana Cup with the U-16 Donegal football team. He was part of Donegal's under-21 campaign in 2009. He has also lined out for UCD's team. McGowan was drafted into the Donegal senior squad for the first time in 2008. He played in a Senior Championship game against Roscommon that summer.

However, McGuinness called McGowan back into the Donegal squad for 2013. He then sent him away again.

In January 2014, it all became clear. On the third day of that month it was reported that McGowan had been forced to retire from the game at the age of 25. He did so on medical advice he had received since having hip surgery in Santry in February 2012.

Honours Ulster All-Star (school): 200? Buncrana Cup: 20?? Ulster Minor Football Championship: 2006 Donegal Senior Football Championship: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014