| Code: | Hurling |
| Sport: | Hurling |
| Johnny McGovern | |
| Irish: | Seán Mac Shabhráin |
| Feet: | 5 |
| Inches: | 7 |
| Occupation: | Oil company employee |
| County: | Kilkenny |
| Province: | Leinster |
| Club: | Bennettsbridge |
| Clyears: | 1950–1971 |
| Clcounty: | 11 |
| Counties: | Kilkenny |
| Icposition: | Left wing-back |
| Icyears: | 1952–1964 |
| Icprovince: | 6 |
| Icallireland: | 2 |
| Nhl: | 1 |
| Birth Date: | 1932 3, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, Ireland |
| Death Place: | Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, Ireland |
John McGovern (7 March 1932 – 24 February 2022) was an Irish hurler who played at club level with Bennettsbridge and at inter-county level with the Kilkenny senior hurling team. He usually lined out as a wing-back.
McGovern first came to prominence as a hurler at club level with Bennettsbridge. In a career that spanned 21 years, he won a record eleven Kilkenny SHC titles. McGovern first appeared on the inter-county scene during a two-year stint with the Kilkenny minor hurling team and ended his time in that grade with a defeat of Tipperary in the 1950 All-Ireland minor final. McGovern subsequently earned inclusion on the Kilkenny senior hurling team and served as team captain in his debut season in 1953. His senior career brought All-Ireland triumphs over Waterford in 1957 and 1963.[1] [2] McGovern's other inter-county honours included six Leinster Championships and a National League title.[3] He won a Railway Cup medal as captain of Leinster in 1954.
In retirement from inter-county hurling, McGovern joined the selection committee of the Kilkenny senior hurling team in 1967. His eleven-year association with the team yielded five All-Ireland Championships, numerous Leinster Championships and a National League title.
McGovern was born in Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny in March 1932.[4] He began his working life with Bennettsbridge Creamery before later working with Esso. McGovern died in Bennettsbridge on 24 February 2022, at the age of 89.[5] [6]
1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1971
1953 (c), 1957, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1964
1949, 1950
1954 (c)
1967, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978