McGoldrick is from Portstewart, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. His father Sean played for Antrim.[2] His brother Sean Leo has also played football and hurling for Derry. His brother Ciaran and cousin Niall Holly are also part of the Derry panel and youngest brother Colm part of the under-21 panel. His sisters play camogie for Derry. His sister Grainne was nominated for Camogie All Stars in both 2006[2] and 2008.[3]
McGoldrick was called up to the Derry Senior football panel in November 2005 for the 2006 season.[6] He started in Derry's opening 2006 Championship games against Tyrone and Donegal, but missed the Kildare and Longford games due to a broken hand.[7] He had an injury hit season in 2007,[8] but came back strongly in 2008 starting all Derry's National League games. He was part of the Derry team that won the 2008 National League where Derry beat Kerry in the final.[9][10]
McGoldrick and Derry also reached the National League final in 2009, but were defeated by Kerry.[11] He missed the final due to injury.[12] In that campaign he mostly played at centre half back, as opposed to his usual role in the forward line and has remained as a defender ever since. He has been named as the Derry captain for the 2011 season by new manager John Brennan.
His first taste of senior inter-county action came when he was 18, with the Derry hurling team, when Sean "Roe" McCloskey was manager.[17] He was part of the Derry Senior team that won the 2006 Nicky Rackard Cup, but missed playing in the final due to a hand injury.[22] He no longer hurls with Derry; now concentrating on football.[17]