A right-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler,[1] he played 43 times for the Ireland cricket team between 1965 and 1975,[3] including eleven first-class matches.
[3] In August 1968, he took 7/39 against the Combined Services cricket team, his best bowling figures for Ireland, and also played against Australia and Scotland.
Goodwin was chosen to captain the Ireland side and took five wickets for six runs as the West Indies were bowled out for 25.
[7] Rumours later suggested that the Irish had ensured their opponents would be intoxicated the night before, but speaking in 2003 Goodwin denied that, saying "They were very late getting in on the plane and they had a long drive from the airport.
[3] Goodwin continued in the Irish team until 1975, playing against Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Scotland, the USA and Wales.