All Ireland Gaelic Football ball. Photo credit: D. Ribeiro, Shutterstock
Former Donegal football star James McHugh has died following a road traffic collision in Co Cavan.
The 1992 All-Ireland winner, who was in his early 60s, was fatally injured when the car he was driving collided with a van on the N3 at Drummallaght, between Virginia and Cavan town, shortly before 2pm yesterday.
Mr McHugh, a native of Cill Chartha, was pronounced dead following the crash and his body was taken to Cavan General Hospital.
His wife Noreen, also in her 60s, was seriously injured in the collision and was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin for treatment.
The driver of the van, a man in his 50s, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The news has sent shockwaves through Donegal GAA, with tributes pouring in for one of the county's most respected footballers.
McHugh was a key member of the Donegal team that won the county's first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title in 1992.
He played for Donegal from 1990 until 1998 and started at left half-forward in the historic All-Ireland final against Dublin.
Donegal defeated Dublin 0-18 to 0-14 at Croke Park, with McHugh contributing a point from play as the county secured its first Sam Maguire Cup.
He was also named an All Star in 1992 and won Ulster Championship medals with Donegal in 1990 and 1992.
He went on to represent Ulster in the Railway Cup, winning the competition in 1994.
At club level, McHugh enjoyed considerable success with Cill Chartha, winning the Donegal Senior Football Championship in 1985, 1989 and 1993.
He also won four national Gaeltacht titles with the club.
McHugh and his son Eoin, who is a member of the current Donegal panel, shared a unique achievement after both captained Cill Chartha to national Gaeltacht success.
James was captain when Cill Chartha won the competition in 1990, while Eoin led the club to victory in Cill na Martra, Co Cork, in 2024.
McHugh was also the brother of former Donegal football star Martin McHugh, with the McHugh family having played a significant role in the county's GAA history.
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty paid tribute to the former player, saying his thoughts were with McHugh's family and friends, as well as the GAA community and everyone who knew him.
"James gave so much to Donegal GAA and will be remembered with great pride and affection across the county and beyond. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam," he said.
Donegal TD Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher described McHugh as a gifted sportsman and a dedicated husband and father.
He said: "It was with profound sadness and deep shock that we all learned of the death of James McHugh as a result of a tragic road accident in Cavan."
Mr Gallagher said McHugh was an "extremely talented and skilled footballer" who was a key part of Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland-winning team.
He also described him as an "exceptionally proud Kilcar man", adding that his family had given "so much to the GAA in south west Donegal".
Brian McEniff, who managed the 1992 All-Ireland-winning team, told Donegal Live he was "broken-hearted" by the news.
"James was such a fine man. I had a great friendship with him," he said.
"It is just terrible. I don't know what to say. James had the heart of a lion."
Donegal GAA chairperson Mary Coughlan said there was a "dark cloud over Donegal" following McHugh's death.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, she said people across the county were "heartbroken" by the tragedy.
"James came from a small rural club that produced fantastic footballers," she said.
"But James will be remembered, first of all, as a family man, as a Kilcar man, and then as a Donegal hero."
Ms Coughlan described McHugh as a quiet and modest man and said the McHugh family had been "the backbone of Donegal's success and of Donegal football".
Gardaí are now appealing for witnesses to the fatal collision.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or who was travelling on the N3 between Virginia and Cavan, particularly between 1pm and 2pm yesterday, is asked to come forward.
Gardaí are particularly appealing to motorists who may have dashcam or other camera footage from the area at the time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Bailieborough Garda station on 042 969 4570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Written by Louise Ducrocq
Louise is an expert content creator, and online author for Radio Nova. She's evolved in a few different fields, including mental health and travel, and is now excited to be part of the wonderful word of Radio.
