‘Will be sorely missed’ – Death notice for Donegal GAA legend James McHugh & wife Noreen issued after tragic car crash

THE death notice for Donegal GAA legend James McHugh and wife Noreen has been issued after they tragically lost their lives from a car crash.

The 1992 All-Ireland winner died in Monday’s crash while Noreen passed away from her injuries in Beaumont Hospital on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday morning a joint-post on rip.ie outlined the grief being felt by the McHugh and O’Donnell families.

It read: “The sudden and tragic death has occurred of James Mc Hugh and his beloved wife Noreen Mc Hugh (née O’Donnell), Bavin, Kilcar.

“Predeceased by their parents Jim and Kathleen Mc Hugh, and Paddy and Nora O’Donnell, and Noreen’s sister Margaret.

“Missed dearly by their heartbroken and much adored children Emma (Diarmaid) and Eoin (Emma).

“Noreen and James will be sadly missed by James’ sisters Mary (Eugene), Cathryn (Pat), by his brothers Martin (Patrice) and Enda (Rosaleen), by Noreen’s sisters Maire (Paddy RIP), Sheila (Michael RIP), and Teresa (Dinny), and by Noreen’s brothers Paddy (Mary), Mickey (Mary), and Paul (Brenda), and by Noreen’s brother-in-law Michael.

“They will be sorely missed by their many nieces and nephews, extended family, neighbours and their wide circle of friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.

“Those who wish to leave a message of sympathy for the family may do so in the Condolence section here. Funeral Arrangements Later.”

James, 62, was the driver of a car that collided with a van on the N3 at Drummallaght, between Virginia and Cavan town.

The male driver of the van, aged in his 50s, was taken to Cavan General Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

James and brother Martin were stars on the history-making Donegal team of 1992 when they won the All-Ireland title for the first time in the county’s history.

RTE’s GAA correspondent Marty Morrissey, a long-time friend of McHugh, is just one of countless individuals to pay tribute since word of his untimely death came to light.

He 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.

He continued: “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.

“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.”

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. 

“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.”

Kilcar, McHugh’s club, posted a tribute to the former star forward on Tuesday morning.

It stated: “We, as a club, are devastated to hear of the tragic and untimely passing of our own James McHugh and his beloved wife Noreen.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the McHugh and O’Donnell families at this time. As a mark of respect, all club activities will be suspended until further notice. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.”

McHugh earned an All-Star during that momentous year for Donegal. He scored a point in the decider against Dublin.