Tribute to Sligo GAA 'great' Bro. Francis McGovern, who died in January of this year, aged 82 years, was a native of Gurteen, County Sligo. He was educated at Killavil National School and afterwards went to Scotland where he did his Secondary education with the Marist Order of Christian Brothers. Afterwards, he joined the same order and in the early 1950s came back to Sligo to teach in St. John's National School. He played Gaelic football with Sligo town team, Craobh Rua and won two County Championship medals in 1952 and 1953. Bro. Francis also played county football with Sligo, wearing the black and white jersey with distinction, starring on many occasions in his familiar right half forward position. He was a member of the famous 1954 Sligo team which ran Galway close in the Connacht final in Tuam, when what looked like a perfect Sligo goal by the late Mick Gaffney was controversially disallowed. A skilful and speedy forward, resembling in many ways the great Mickey Kearins with his brilliant solo runs and his capacity to open up defences, Bro. Francis was one of the great players of his era and was admired throughout the country. He played with such notable players as Nace O'Dowd, RIP, Fr. Ned Durcan, RIP, Mick and Paddy Christie, RIP, Joe Masterson, RIP, Frank White, Frank Gaffney and Ray Tully. Taken from Sligo Champion, dated 27th February 2008 Tweet

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