Mark Gottsche

Mark Göttsche is a Gaelic footballer. He played inter-county football for Galway from minor to senior levels. He then played with London.

Mark Göttsche
Personal information
Sport Gaelic football
Position Midfield
Born 1987 (age 32–33)
Galway, Ireland
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Club(s)
Years Club
2005–2011
2011–
 Oranmore-Maree
Tír Chonaill Gaels
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2008
2011–2019
 Galway
London

Early life

Göttsche was born in Germany where his father Jürgen was from. His father read the GAA rulebook and became a passionate supporter of Gaelic games, passing his fascination with the game on to his son.[1] When Göttsche was five years of age his family moved to Oranmore. While at NUI Galway studying for a Commerce degree he played in the Sigerson Cup. While at UUJ studying for a Master's in Sports Management he also played in the Sigerson Cup. He played for the Galway Senior team in their 2008 National Football League game against Kildare.[2]

London

Göttsche moved to London in mid-2011 and began playing for London. In 2011, London came close to beating Mayo in the Connacht Senior Football Championship - the game went to extra-time before Mayo escaped. In 2012, they lost to Leitrim by one point.[2]

On 26 May 2013, Göttsche was man of the match in London's 1-12 - 0–14 victory over Sligo - their first victory in the competition since 1977.[3][4][5] He was later awarded the GAA's Player of the Month award for May.[6] Göttsche lined out for London in the Connacht semi final three weeks later but was substituted early in the first half. It transpired that Göttsche was struggling with a long-term injury which required surgery. Göttsche went under the knife on 4 July 2013 and missed the remainder of the 2013 season including London's first ever Connacht Final appearance.

Göttsche returned to the London colours at the beginning of the 2014 National Football League, playing in every one of London's league games. He started for London against his native Galway in the Connacht Championship in May 2014 which ended in a heavy defeat for London. Injury prevented Göttsche starting against Limerick in the All Ireland qualifiers, however was introduced as a substitute after 10 minutes with London trailing by 7 points. Göttsche inspired London's comeback which saw them lead by two points with five minutes remaining. However having come from behind the superior fitness of Limerick proved a telling factor and Limerick ran out two point winners.

Göttsche announced his retirement from inter-county football in 2019, and took up the role of finance and operations manager with Galway GAA.[7]

He has also been Secretary and Treasurer of London GAA.[7]

Club

Göttsche has won four London County Senior Football Championship medals (2012, 2014, 2015, 2018) with Tir Chonaill Gaels picking up the man of the match award in the 2012 and 2014 finals and captaining the team in 2012 & 2018.

References
  1. "A day in the life: London's Mark Gottsche". Hogan Stand. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  2. Foley, Cliona (28 May 2013). "It's boom time for rising Exiles". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  3. "London shock Sligo to secure first Connacht SFC victory since 1977". The Score. 26 May 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  4. "London dump Sligo out of Connacht". RTÉ Sport. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  5. "London end 36-year wait for Connacht championship glory". The Irish Times. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  6. "Gottsche and Healy win GAA/GPA Player of the Month Awards". GAA website. 10 June 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  7. Cormican, Eoghan (17 July 2019). "Galway GAA appoint Mark Gottsche as finance and operations manager; Damian McErlain leaves Derry". Irish Examiner.
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