Shaun Patton

{{Infobox Gaelic games player

| name = Shaun Patton

| image =

| alt =

| caption = |

| irish = Seán Ó Peatáin

| sport = Gaelic football

| clposition =

| icposition = Goalkeeper

| birth_date = 1995

| birth_place =

| death_date =

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| feet = 6

| inches = 0

| nickname =

| occupation = Full-time professional footballer (former)
Retail assistant (former)
Garda (current)|

| clyears = 2018–

| clubs = St Eunan's

| clapps(points) = |

| code = Football

| county = Donegal

| clcounty = 1

| province =

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| clallireland = |

| colyears =

| colleges =

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| fitz =

| sig = |

| icyears = 2018–

| counties = Donegal

| icapps(points) = |

| icprovince =

| icconnacht =

| iculster = 3

| icleinster =

| icmunster =

| icallireland =

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}}

Shaun Patton (born 1995) is an Irish goalkeeper who has played in that position in two different sports. A former professional soccer player in the League of Ireland with Derry City, Finn Harps and Sligo Rovers, Patton changed to Gaelic football in 2018, playing for St Eunan's and the Donegal county team. He has twice won the Ulster Senior Football Championship with Donegal.

Early life

Patton went to primary school at Lurgybrack National School.{{cite news|first=Rachel|last=McLaughlin|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2019/06/25/watch-a-surprise-musical-send-off-for-master-reynolds-at-lurgybrack/|title=Watch: A surprise musical send-off for Master Reynolds at Lurgybrack|date=25 June 2019|accessdate=25 June 2019|quote=Special guest and past pupil Shaun Patton, goalkeeper for Donegal, was in attendance.}} He attended St Eunan's College for his secondary education. Patton played in a MacLarnon Cup Final for the college. He did so while on the books of Finn Harps, a soccer team.{{cite news|first=Declan|last=Bogue|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/why-donegal-goalkeeper-shaun-patton-is-glad-he-made-switch-from-fickle-soccer-to-gaa-38249987.html|title=Why Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton is glad he made switch from 'fickle' soccer to GAA|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=25 June 2019|accessdate=25 June 2019}} His teammates on an earlier St Eunan's College team (when Patton was 14) included future professional footballer Dale Gorman.{{cite news|url=https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/limerick-and-st-eunans-set-for-minor-final|title=Limerick and St Eunans set for Minor final|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=6 May 2010|accessdate=6 May 2010}} He also played for the Republic of Ireland at schoolboy level. He made his League of Ireland debut at the age of 16 before becoming disillusioned with that game at the age of 22 and pursuing Gaelic football instead. He did not attend a third-level institution as he was playing full-time football. He joined Derry City in November 2014 in what was considered a surprise development, though he had lost his position in the Harps team after taking time off to study for his Leaving Certificate the previous year.{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Forker|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/30150605|title=Derry City sign Cillian Morrison from Cork City|series=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=21 November 2014|accessdate=21 November 2014|quote=City boss Peter Hutton has also signed keeper Shaun Patton from Finn Harps as back-up to number one Gerard Doherty.}}{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Forker|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2014/11/21/cillian-morrison-and-shaun-patton-sign-for-derry-city/|title=Cillian Morrison and Shaun Patton sign for Derry City|date=21 November 2014|accessdate=21 November 2014}} Michael Murphy employed Patton to work in his shop in Letterkenny.{{cite news|title=Patton embracing battle to be number one|work=Show Your Colours: 2019 Ulster Championship Preview|publisher=North West of Ireland Printing and Publishing Company|pages=24–25}} Patton became a Garda in 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/gaa-on-off-the-ball/donegal-goalkeeper-garda-shaun-patton-discusses-life-frontline|title=Donegal goalkeeper & Garda Shaun Patton discusses life on the frontline|publisher=Newstalk|date=23 April 2020|accessdate=23 April 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.highlandradio.com/2020/04/24/donegals-shaun-patton-on-his-frontline-experience/|title=Donegal's Shaun Patton on his front line experience|publisher=Highland Radio|date=24 April 2020|accessdate=24 April 2020}} He was posted to Navan, a town in County Meath.{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2020/04/24/watch-donegal-keeper-and-garda-shaun-patton-on-frontline-work/|title=Watch: Donegal 'keeper and Garda shaun Patton on frontline work|date=24 April 2020|accessdate=24 April 2020}} He is from Letterkenny.

Playing career

=Club=

Upon being reappointed Donegal Gaelic football manager in 2017, Declan Bonner set about trying to recruit Patton. The goalkeeper had never before played a local league or championship game in the sport of Gaelic football, only appearing for St Eunan's in two Ulster club games against Roslea and Omagh during the 2014–15 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship.{{cite news|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/county/donegal/article/index/227299|title=Ulster club SFC: Eunan's get the job done early|work=Hogan Stand|date=9 November 2014|accessdate=9 November 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/county/tyrone/article/index/227673|title=Ulster club SFC: Tierney goal the difference for Omagh|work=Hogan Stand|date=16 November 2014|accessdate=16 November 2014}} At the time of Bonner's request, Patton was negotiating the possibility of joining soccer outfit Cork City. He was doing so from a position of having played for one year for Sligo Rovers — where he deputised for Micheál Schlingermann when Schlingermann was injured — and had started 12 games for the Sligo soccer outfit in 2017.{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Dollery|url=https://www.the42.ie/shaun-patton-sligo-rovers-to-donegal-senior-panel-3791096-Jan2018/|title=From a League of Ireland debut at 16 to the Donegal senior panel in 2018: Shaun Patton is leaving professional football behind to pursue success in a different code|publisher=The42.ie|date=14 January 2018|accessdate=14 January 2018|quote=I have my Leaving Cert but I didn't go to college because I was playing football full-time. At the moment I'm thinking of going back to college or applying for the guards and getting myself a stable job… I loved the year in Sligo and I really like the manager.}} Patton said at the time: {{blockquote|"I've committed to the Donegal panel for the foreseeable future. I had offers from two [League of Ireland] clubs and I was chatting with some others, but I've decided that the GAA is the best option for me at the moment. Eventually the chance to play for Donegal was going to stop presenting itself. Now is the right time".}}

Patton won the 2021 Donegal Senior Football Championship with his club, scoring one point (from a '45) in the final.{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Campbell|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2021/1107/1258392-st-eunans-overpower-naomh-conaill-in-donegal-sfc-final/|title=St Eunan's overpower Naomh Conaill in Donegal SFC final|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=7 November 2021|accessdate=7 November 2021}}

=Inter-county=

Patton began training with Donegal for the first time in January 2018. He had fractured his ankle the previous October while playing for the Sligo soccer team against an outfit from Drogheda. Under the management of Declan Bonner (second spell), Mark Anthony McGinley was initially the first choice goalkeeper, having been brought in by Bonner's predecessor Rory Gallagher. However, during the opening fixture of the 2018 National Football League against Kerry, McGinley sustained an injury and second choice goalkeeper Peter Boyle came on as a substitute.{{cite news|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole|url=https://www.the42.ie/kerry-donegal-football-3821091-Jan2018/|title=Casey hits winning point, O'Shea fires 0–7 and 3 red cards shown in Kerry Donegal clash: The sides met in Killarney today|publisher=The42.ie|date=28 January 2018|accessdate=28 January 2018}} Boyle then started against Galway in the second league fixture,{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.the42.ie/galway-donegal-allianz-league-report-3833590-Feb2018/|title=Last-gasp Galway snatch victory in Donegal to make it two from two|publisher=The42.ie|date=4 February 2018|accessdate=4 February 2018}} and again started in the third fixture against Dublin (at Croke Park).{{cite news|first=Kevin|last=O'Brien|url=https://www.the42.ie/dublin-donegal-report-3845428-Feb2018/|title=Dublin survive strong Donegal fightback to make it three wins from three: Paddy McBrearty impressed with 0–7 for Donegal|publisher=The42.ie|date=10 February 2018|accessdate=10 February 2018}} Then, in the fourth league fixture against Kildare, manager Declan Bonner opted for Patton as Donegal's first choice goalkeeper, prompting Boyle to quit.{{cite news|first=Gerry|last=McLaughlin|url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2018/03/08/news/headline-1273837/|title=Mark Anthony McGinley return a boost for Donegal|work=The Irish News|date=8 March 2018|accessdate=8 March 2018|quote=Boyle quit the panel after the match against Kildare in Ballyshannon after former Sligo Rovers 'keeper Shaun Patton replaced him for that match.}}{{cite news|first=Declan|last=Bogue|url=https://www.the42.ie/tyrone-v-donegal-report-3897125-Mar2018/|title=Two-goal Tyrone move closer to safety with big win over Donegal in Omagh|publisher=The42.ie|date=10 March 2018|accessdate=10 March 2018|quote=Patton}}{{cite news|first=John|last=Graham|url=https://www.rte.ie/amp/948440/|title=Monaghan ease past relegation-threatened Donegal|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=18 March 2018|accessdate=18 March 2018|quote=Patton}}{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Gannon|url=https://www.the42.ie/mayo-donegal-division-1-draw-3923536-Mar2018/|title=McLoughlin's stunning 74th minute equaliser sees Mayo survive the drop|publisher=The42.ie|date=25 March 2018|accessdate=25 March 2018|quote=Patton}}

Patton continued in goal for the remainder of the season. He made his Ulster Senior Football Championship championship debut from the start against Cavan, and played every minute against Derry and Down on the way to the final against Fermanagh, which Donegal won.{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.gaa.ie/football/news/ulster-sfc-donegal-too-good-for-cavan/|title=Ulster SFC: Donegal too good for Cavan|date=13 May 2018|accessdate=13 May 2018}}{{cite news|first=Francis|last=Mooney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2018/0527/966359-mcbrearty-excels-to-fire-donegal-past-derry/|title=McBrearty excels to fire Donegal past Derry|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=27 May 2018|accessdate=27 May 2018}}{{cite news|first=Francis|last=Mooney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2018/0610/969538-14-man-donegal-cruise-past-down-into-ulster-decider/|title=14-man Donegal cruise past Down into Ulster decider|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=10 June 2018|accessdate=10 June 2018}}{{cite news|first=Francis|last=Mooney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2018/0624/972816-ruthless-donegal-end-fermanaghs-ulster-title-dream/|title=Energetic Donegal end Fermanagh's Ulster title dream|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=24 June 2018|accessdate=24 June 2018}} He then played every minute of Donegal's 2018 All-Ireland challenge, making his Croke Park debut against Dublin in the quarter-final group stage on 14 July 2018, only for Donegal's challenge to come undone against eventual finalists Tyrone.{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Sweeney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2018/0714/978710-dublin-do-enough-to-see-off-donegal/|title=Dublin do enough to see off Donegal in Super 8s|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=14 July 2018|accessdate=14 July 2018}}{{cite news|first=Declan|last=Rooney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2018/0721/980202-michael-murphy-masterclass-gets-donegal-back-on-track/|title=Michael Murphy masterclass gets Donegal back on track|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=21 July 2018|accessdate=21 July 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2018/0805/983295-tyrone-surge-into-semi-final-after-ballybofey-raid/|title=Tyrone surge into semi-final after Ballybofey raid|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=5 August 2018|accessdate=5 August 2018}}

Patton started the opening game of the National Football League,{{cite news|first=Derrick|last=Lynch|url=https://www.the42.ie/donegal-clare-league-report-4462420-Jan2019/|title=Missing a host of regulars, Donegal come away from Clare with victory|publisher=The42.ie|date=27 January 2019|accessdate=27 January 2019}} before briefly alternating with McGinley,{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Campbell|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0202/1027139-donegal-1-13-meath-0-14/|title=Fortuitous goal sees Donegal come back to beat Meath|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=2 February 2019|accessdate=2 February 2019}}{{cite news|url=http://hoganstand.com/Tipperary/Article/Index/295354|title=FL2: three-goal Tipp trip Donegal|work=Hogan Stand|date=10 February 2019|accessdate=10 February 2019}}{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Campbell|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0224/1032501-fermanagh-rally-against-13-man-donegal-to-stay-unbeaten/|title=Fermanagh rally against 13-man Donegal to stay unbeaten in Division 2|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=24 February 2019|accessdate=24 February 2019}} until taking over completely as Donegal's first choice goalkeeper when McGinley withdrew from consideration in March due to his reluctance to commit in the competition against Patton.{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2019/04/26/mark-anthony-mcginley-in-finn-harps-panel-for-derby-in-sligo/|title=Mark Anthony McGinley in Finn Harps panel for derby in Sligo|date=26 April 2019|accessdate=26 April 2019|quote=In March, McGinley withdrew from the Donegal senior football squad… McGinley was on the Donegal panel from then until he pulled out due to limited game time in March.}}{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.the42.ie/donegal-v-armagh-2-march-2019-4521610-Mar2019/|title=Super sub Murphy makes decisive impact in narrow win for Donegal: Michael Murphy came off the bench to score 1–2 as his side overcame Armagh this evening|publisher=The42.ie|date=2 March 2019|accessdate=2 March 2019}}{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Campbell|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0316/1036817-cork-1-12-donegal-1-19-allianz-football-league/|title=Cork on brink of drop to Division 3 as Donegal power home|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=16 March 2019|accessdate=16 March 2019}}{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Branigan|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0324/1038307-murphy-masterclass-fires-donegal-back-to-top-flight/|title=Murphy masterclass fires Donegal back to top flight|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=24 March 2019|accessdate=24 March 2019}}{{cite news|first=Kevin|last=O'Brien|url=https://www.the42.ie/donegal-meath-division-2-final-report-4568833-Mar2019/|title=Murphy masterclass helps Donegal to Division 2 glory after comeback win over Meath|publisher=The42.ie|date=30 March 2019|accessdate=30 March 2019}}

Patton won his second Ulster Senior Football Championship later that year, again completing every minute of play.{{cite news|first=Francis|last=Mooney|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/gaa/donegal-overcome-fermanagh-in-ulster-arm-wrestle-926804.html|title=Donegal overcome Fermanagh in Ulster arm-wrestle|work=Irish Examiner|date=26 May 2019|accessdate=26 May 2019}}{{cite news|first=Francis|last=Mooney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0608/1054200-donegal-power-past-tyrone-to-make-ulster-decider/|title=Donegal power past Tyrone to make Ulster decider|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=8 June 2019|accessdate=8 June 2019}}{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Sweeney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0623/1057017-donegal-power-past-cavan-to-claim-ulster-title/|title=Donegal power past Cavan to claim Ulster title|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=23 June 2019|accessdate=23 June 2019}} He did so while competing against Paul Durcan (regarded as having the sport's closest ability in the goalkeeping position to Stephen Cluxton); Durcan had availed of McGinley's departure to seek a return to Donegal.{{cite news|url=https://donegalnews.com/2019/05/durcan-battling-for-goalkeeper-spot/|title=Durcan battling for goalkeeper spot|work=Donegal News|date=23 May 2019|accessdate=23 May 2019}}

Style

Patton's short and long range kick-outs, as well as his and shot-stopping abilities, have garnered him comparisons with Paul Durcan{{cite news|title=Shaun Patton|publisher=Clár Oifigiúil: Quarter-Final Group Stage, Group 2 Phase 1 (i.e. the Dublin match)|date=14 July 2018|page=11}} and Stephen Cluxton.{{cite news|first=Tony|last=Considine|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/he-knows-everything-about-mayo-why-stephen-rochford-could-play-a-crucial-role-in-super-8s-finale-38322035.html|title='He knows everything about Mayo' — Why Stephen Rochford could play a crucial role in Super 8s finale|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=17 July 2019|accessdate=17 July 2019|quote=They have a keeper whose kick-outs are Cluxton-esque. He's been brilliant in all the games. His kicks are like laser darts and they always seem to favour the Donegal man. He regularly goes long and Donegal win most of them.}}{{cite news|first=Declan|last=Bogue|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/gaa/cluxtons-no1-contenders-for-his-successor-as-kickout-king-932813.html|title=Cluxton's No.1 contenders for his successor as kickout king|work=Irish Examiner|date=25 June 2019|accessdate=25 June 2019|quote=Is Shaun Patton best-placed to succeed Stephen Cluxton as the game's most influential goalkeeper?}}{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Keys|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/colm-keys-getting-to-grips-with-speed-of-pattons-kickout-service-will-be-a-major-priority-for-kingdom-38329551.html|title='Getting to grips with speed of Patton's kick-out service will be a major priority for Kingdom'|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=20 July 2019|accessdate=20 July 2019|quote=Tomorrow, Kerry's focus on Shaun Patton will need to be 'Cluxtonesque'.}} His kicks have been likened to "laser darts".{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=http://www.donegalsporthub.com/how-good-was-this-kick-out-by-donegal-keeper-shaun-patton-against-monaghan/|title=How good was this kick-out by Donegal 'keeper Shaun Patton against Monaghan?|date=2 March 2020|accessdate=2 March 2020|quote=…he delivered one of his best darts yesterday.}} RTÉ noted as early as the 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship victory over Derry that "Patton's long, accurate kick-outs were highly effective in setting Donegal back on the attack". His ability at saving was also on display against Down in the following match, when he used a trailing right boot to prevent a goal from a Donal O'Hare shot. In the next game, the final, Patton showed his saving ability again.

Honours

;Donegal

Ulster Senior Football Championship (3) 2018, 2019, 2024
National Football League Division 2 (2) 2019, 2024

;St Eunan's

Donegal Senior Football Championship: 2021

;Individual

All Star: 1 Ulster Schools All Star
Nominated in 2019{{cite news|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole|url=https://www.the42.ie/2019-gaa-all-star-football-awards-4826230-Sep2019/|title=13 players from Dublin as 11 counties feature in 2019 All-Star football nominations: Kerry, Donegal, Mayo, Tyrone, Meath, Roscommon, Armagh, Clare, Cavan and Cork also have nominees|publisher=The42.ie|date=27 September 2019|accessdate=27 September 2019}}