Shock as Donegal All-Ireland winner dies in Cavan crash

Sean Ryan

Donegal All-Ireland winner James McHugh (62) has been named as the man who died in a road traffic collision in Co Cavan on Monday afternoon.

Mr McHugh was the driver of a car that collided with a van on the N3 at Drummallaght, between Virginia and Cavan town, just before 2pm on Monday, August 10th.

His wife Noreen, who was a passenger in the car, was seriously injured and was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital for treatment.

Mr McHugh who along with his brother Martin won an All-Ireland Medal with Donegal in 1992, worked as a network technician for the ESB. He is the father of two: a daughter, Emma, and a son, Eoin.

The winning footballer was best known for his massive contribution to football in Donegal, playing alongside his brother Martin as the county won their first-ever All-Ireland SFC crown in 1992, scoring a point in the 0-18 to 0-14 win over Dublin at Croke Park. His nephew Mark McHugh is the current Westmeath football manager, while his nephew Ryan currently plays football for Donegal.

Paying tribute, the 1992 winning manager and hotelier Brian McEniff said “I’m just broken-hearted’’.

“James was such a fine man. I had a great friendship with him. He is the first player from the 1992 panel we have lost – we had also lost selector Seamus Bonar’’.

He added: “It is just terrible. I don’t know what to say. James had the heart of a lion. I can still remember him in Clones in the Ulster final nipping in before big Brian McGilligan and getting the ball’’.

RTE’s GAA correspondent Marty Morrissey, a long time friend of James McHugh, said: "This is a shock. It's a terrible blow. We're all in a state of shock this morning."

Morrissey described McHugh as “football royalty”, a term, he acknowledged, the former footballer would not have liked.

"The nation mourns today and sympathises and empathises with the McHugh family. And James, an absolute gentleman, a humble man, you'd never think, when you'd meet him, that he won an All-Ireland medal, that he was part of that wonderful Donegal team, that he leaves a legacy," he he told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.

"Every time I spoke to James, whether it be on the phone or in person, it always went back to the community and the parish and the people (of Donegal).

"He was part of that culture. And I remember when he'd speak, he'd say to me, ‘you know, us Donegal lads, we're very cultured. You Clare lads need to learn a few cupla focal’. And he'd give me a Donegal phrase. So, you know, I'm very proud to be friends of the McHugh family, and they've supported me in the past."

Donegal TD Pearse Doherty said it was "heartbreaking news that Donegal GAA great James McHugh has lost his life in a tragic accident. My thoughts are with his family and friends, the GAA and wider community, and all those who knew and loved him at this very difficult time. Thinking too of James’ wife Noreen, who has been injured. I pray she makes a full recovery. 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’’.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision or who was travelling on the N3 between Virginia and Cavan, particularly between 1pm and 2pm to come forward.

They are particularly appealing to motorists who may have dashcam or other camera footage of the area during this time to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.

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.

McHugh is the 113th person to lose their life on Irish roads this year, 12 more than in the same period last year.