Mark Gottsche

Mark Gottsche is a Gaelic footballer. He played inter-county football for Galway from minor to senior levels. More recently he has played with London.
Gottsche was born in Germany where his father Jurgen 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. When Gottsche 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.
He 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.
On 26 May 2013, Gottsche was man of the match in London's 1-12 - 0-14 victory over Sligo - their first victory in the competition since 1977. He was later awarded the GAA's Player of the Month award for May. Gottsche lined out for London in the Connacht semi final three weeks later but was substituted early in the first half. It transpired that Gottsche was struggling with a long term injury which required surgery. Gottsche went under the knife on 4 July 2013 and missed the reminder of the 2013 season including London's first ever Connacht Final appearance.
Gottsche returned to the London colours at the beginning of the 2014 National Football League, playing in every one of London's leagues 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 Gottsche starting against Limerick in the All Ireland qualifiers, however was introduced as a substitute after 10 minutes with London trailing by 7 points. Gottsche 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.
With Tir Chonaill Gaels Gottsche has won two London County Senior Football Championship medals (2012,2014), picking up the man of the match award in both finals and captaining the team in 2012