Former Donegal footballer James McHugh passes away

Former Donegal All-Ireland winner James McHugh has died following a car crash in County Cavan.

McHugh, who was in his 60s, played inter-county football for Donegal from 1990 until 1998 and won two Ulster Championships with the county.

He was named an All-Star in 1992 - the year his county lifted Sam Maguire for the first time - and scored a point in their 0-18 to 0-14 victory over Dublin at Croke Park.

He was killed following a collision between a car and a van on the N3 at Drummallaght, between Virginia and Cavan town on Monday afternoon.

RTÉ is reporting that his wife Noreen, who was a passenger in the car, died on Tuesday evening. She had been airlifted to hospital after the incident.

In a statement Donegal GAA said it is "deeply saddened" by McHugh's death, adding he holds "a very special place in the story, and in the hearts, of Donegal Gaels and the wider community".

He was, it added, one of many people's first heroes and part of the generation that "changed Donegal football forever when he and his teammates brought Sam Maguire to the hills for the first time in 1992".

"James McHugh is synonymous with the greatest day for Donegal football. All-Ireland winner, All-Star, a proud Donegal man and the proudest of Kilcar men, but above all James was a husband, a father, a brother, an uncle and a friend," Donegal GAA said.

His club CLG Chill Chartha has suspended all club activity until further notice as a mark of respect and said it was devastated at the news.

"We, as a club, are devastated to hear of the tragic and untimely passing of one of our own, James McHugh," the club posted on X.

It said its "thoughts and prayers" are with McHugh's family.

Sinn Féin TD (Teachta Dála, Irish MP) Pearse Doherty said news of McHugh's death was "heartbreaking".

"James gave so much to Donegal GAA and will be remembered with great pride and affection across the county and beyond," Doherty said.

"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."

McHugh played alongside his brother Martin the 1992 All-Ireland winning side and also added a Railway Cup with Ulster in 1994 to the two Ulster Championships won with his home county in 1990 and 1992.

At club level, he won the Donegal Senior Football Championship with Cill Chartha in 1985, 1989 and 1993.

His son Eoin is a member of the current Donegal panel.

Irish police have appealed for witnesses to the collision on Monday and want to hear from motorists who may have video footage from the area from between 13:00 and 14:00 local time.

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