A Queensland state and Australia national representative winger, he played his club football in Toowoomba, where he later become a successful coach and well-known radio match commentator.
McGovern went on to become one of the Darling Downs region's best known radio sporting voices during a 36-year working partnership with broadcaster Pat O'Shea.
The pair began their long association calling Toowoomba rugby league matches on radio station 4AK before moving to 4GR, 4WK and finally 102.7FM.
In 2008, rugby league in Australia's centenary year, McGovern was named on the wing of the Toowoomba and South West Team of the Century.
McGovern died on 8 February 2013 in St Andrew's Hospital, Toowoomba, five days short of his 85th birthday.