Donegal All-Ireland winner James McHugh dies in crash

Former Donegal 1992 All-Ireland winning football star James McHugh died in a road traffic collision in Co Cavan yesterday afternoon.

The Cill Chartha native, who was in his early 60s, was in a collision involving a car and a van on the N3 at Drummallaght, between Virginia and Cavan town.

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

The driver of the van, a man in his 50s, was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

A member of Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winning team, Mr McHugh played for Donegal from 1990 until 1998.

He started at left half forward in the '92 All-Ireland final and scored a point from play when Donegal defeated Dublin on a scoreline of 0-18 to 0-14.

A brother of football star Martin McHugh, James won an All Star in 1992, two Ulster championships in 1990 and in 1992 and a Railway Cup with Ulster in 1994.

Mr McHugh won the Donegal county title with his club Cill Chartha in 1985, 1989 and 1993, as well as four national Gaeltacht titles with.

Mr McHugh and his son Eoin, a member of the current Donegal panel, shared a unique distinction in that both father and son captained their club to Gaeltacht success.

He was club captain when Cill Chartha won the competition in 1990 while Eoin captained Cill Chartha to success in Cill na Martra, Co Cork in 2024.

In a statement, the club said their thoughts and prayers are the family of James McHugh at this time.

It read: "We, as a club, are devastated to hear of the tragic and untimely passing of one of our own, James McHugh.

"As a mark of respect, all club activities will be suspended until further notice.

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal."

Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty said his thoughts are with Mr McHugh's family and friends, the GAA and wider community, and all those who knew and loved him at this time.

"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 paid tribute Mr McHugh, who he said was a gifted sportsman, dedicated husband and father.

Mr Gallagher 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.

"James McHugh was an extremely talented and skilled footballer for his native club as well as being a key part of the 1992 Donegal All Ireland winning team.

"James brought total commitment and energy to the game, skill he had in abundance, and he never pulled back from the rough and tumble of the tackle whether that was a club or county match; he was always the professional sportsman.

"James was a winner of a 1992 All Star, highlighting the importance of the role he played in the successful 1992 victory.

"He was an exceptionally proud Kilcar man, coming from a family that gave so much to the GAA in south west Donegal.

"The annals of history and sport will forever record the contributions of James McHugh to the sporting history of Kilcar and Donegal Football.

"Ar dhéis lámh Dé go raibh a anam uasal."

By Shane Ó Curraighín