Tyrone GAA legend McGuigan dies aged 71
Image source, Inpho- Published2 hours ago
Former Tyrone forward Frank McGuigan, widely regarded as one of the county's finest footballers, has died at the age of 71.
The Ardboe club-man captained the Red Hands to the 1973 Ulster title in just his second year in the senior panel at the age of 19.
After returning home in 1983 following six years in the United States, he famously scored 11 of Tyrone's 15 points in the 1984 Ulster final win over Armagh in what became known as 'The Frank McGuigan final'.
A builder by trade, McGuigan's performance in the '84 final helped earn him an All-Star, but his career was prematurely ended that year by a car crash that shattered his right leg.
In addition to his achievements at inter-county level, McGuigan won four Tyrone SFC titles with Ardboe.
His four sons - Frank Jnr, Brian, Tommy, and Shay - all followed in his footsteps by representing Tyrone and won five All-Ireland medals between them.
'The King has left the field but his legacy lives on'
In a statement, O'Donovan Rossa GAC, Ardboe paid tribute to "The King" who is regarded as "one of the greatest footballers ever to wear the colours of club and county and a true legend of Ardboe and Tyrone football".
"Frank played a central role in the famous Ardboe teams which secured three consecutive Tyrone Senior Championships between 1971 and 1973 and famously returned from the USA to help the Rossas capture another Championship title in 1984," they said.
"That same year, he produced one of the greatest individual performances ever witnessed in Ulster football, scoring eleven points from play for Tyrone in the Ulster Final at Clones — five with his left foot, five with his right and one with his fist — an unforgettable exhibition of unique skill, composure and supreme talent.
"His exploits in 1984 earned Frank the distinction of becoming Ardboe's first ever All-Star recipient, and he would later continue his lifelong service to the club as manager of our senior team."
It continued: "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.
"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."
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