'Heartbreak' after Donegal All-Ireland winner James McHugh killed in crash

Tributes have been paid to Donegal All-Ireland winner James McHugh, who was killed in a crash in Co Cavan. 

Tributes have been paid to Donegal All-Ireland winner James McHugh, who was killed in a crash in Co Cavan. 

Mr McHugh, 62, was killed when a car and a van collided on the N3 at Drummallaght, between Virginia and Cavan, shortly before 2pm on Monday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, and his body was removed to Cavan General Hospital.

His wife, Noreen, was seriously injured and airlifted to Beaumont Hospital for treatment.

Mr McHugh was part of Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winning team, and played senior inter-county football 59 times for Donegal from 1990 until 1998.

A Kilcar native, Mr McHugh won an All Star in 1992, two Ulster championships in 1990 and in 1992, as well as a Railway Cup with Ulster in 1994.

He was man of the match in the 1990 provincial final win over Donegal.

A brother of football star Martin McHugh, Mr McHugh was called into the Donegal panel in 1988 but it wasn’t until 1990 under the management of Brian McEniff that he made his debut.

Mr McHugh’s son Eoin was part of the Donegal All-Ireland winning panel during the 2010s along with his nephews Mark, the current Westmeath senior football manager, and Ryan. 

The McHughs also have a daughter, Emma. McHugh has been a long-serving ESB employee.

A father of two, he worked with ESB Networks. 

Donegal TD Pearse Doherty said news of his passing was “heartbreaking".

"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," Mr Doherty said.

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

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

Gardaí 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.