Tyrone legend Frank McGuigan dies

The death has occurred of Tyrone GAA legend Frank McGuigan.

Regarded as one of the best players to ever emerge from Ulster, let alone Tyrone, the Ardboe clubman captained his county to the 1973 provincial final at the age of just 19 as they hammered Down at Clones.

A year previous, he starred in the Ulster Minor final against Cavan - when Mickey Harte was at full-forward - before getting a quick change and coming on at midfield in the senior decider as the Red Hands lost to Donegal.

After a hiatus in America, McGuigan returned to Ireland and produced the most famed performance in Ulster championship history – the 'Frank McGuigan final' win over Armagh in 1984.

McGuigan scored 11 points from play, a legend taking hold of a satisfying split of five with the left, five with the right and one with his fist, although it was actually eight with the left, two with the right and one with the fist in an extraordinary individual display.

An All-Star would follow at full-forward months later, but a few weeks before he accepted it, McGuigan was involved in a serious car crash that brought his career to a premature end.

In latter years, sons Brian, Tommy and Frank Jnr helped Tyrone to finally end their wait for the Sam Maguire.

Brian won three All-Ireland titles as one of the side’s most valuable players at centre half-forward with younger brother Tommy scoring the opening goal in the 2008 final win over Kerry. Frank Jnr was on the panel for their breakthrough success in 2003 while Shay also represented the Red Hands at senior level.

"Known affectionately across Tyrone and beyond simply as 'The King', Frank was a genius of a footballer who commanded the respect and admiration of the entire GAA fraternity both at home and abroad," his club Ardboe said.

"Through his brilliance, humility and love for Gaelic games, he truly put our great club on the map and inspired generations of players who followed. The King has left the field, but his legacy will live forever in Ardboe and Tyrone."