Frank McGuigan
Encyclopedia
Frank McGuigan is a former Tyrone
Gaelic football
er and father of current Tyrone player, Brian McGuigan
. Despite his playing career being cut short by a car crash, which broke his leg, he is considered a legend in Tyrone football, alongside players such as Frankie Donnelly
and Peter Canavan
.
He is known for his natural scoring ability, clocking up dozens of scores during his senior career, most of them from open play.
in Ulster minor final.
The next year, 1972, Frank's inter-county contributions really started coming to the fore. He captained the minor team to another Ulster final victory, and eventually to the All-Ireland Minor Final. He also won the U-21 Ulster Championship, and came on as a substitute in the Tyrone Senior team in the Ulster Final
.
He was also very successful al club level, 1972 being Ardboe's third county Championship victory in a row.
In 1977, McGuigan went to America as a representative of a touring Irish team, but decided to settle there after the tour was over, putting his playing career on temporary hiatus.
, McGuigan scored eleven of Tyrone's points from open play - five on each foot, and one fisted over. This is considered one of the greatest individual performances in the modern G.A.A. era. It was voted as one of the Top 20 GAA Moments
of the previous forty years (i.e. since the dawn of televised matches).
This tally helped McGuigan top the scorer's list in the Ulster Championship with a total of 0-19.
, McGuigan was involved in an horrific car crash that threatened, not only his playing career, but his life. He managed to get through the injuries, but his playing career was over.
Tyrone fans consider this one of the great tragedies of Tyrone football, especially considering Tyrone reached the All-Ireland final in 1986 for the very first time, and such an occasion would have heralded a man of McGuigan's class.
He has recently rejected the All Star, due to his low esteem held for the accolade. He felt his own award was cheapened by accusations that it was a "sympathy vote," and after his son, Brian
was overlooked in the 2005 honours, his opinion was strengthened.
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er and father of current Tyrone player, Brian McGuigan
Brian McGuigan
Brian McGuigan is an All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He won three All-Ireland medals in 2003 , 2005 and 2008....
. Despite his playing career being cut short by a car crash, which broke his leg, he is considered a legend in Tyrone football, alongside players such as Frankie Donnelly
Frankie Donnelly
Frankie Donnelly was a Tyrone Gaelic footballer, who was part of Tyrone's breakthrough era in the mid-fifties, claiming two Ulster Championships in a row, with Donnelly being Ulster's top scorer in both those years....
and Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
.
He is known for his natural scoring ability, clocking up dozens of scores during his senior career, most of them from open play.
Under Age level
In 1971, he was part of the Tyrone minor (under 18) team that defeated FermanaghFermanagh GAA
The Fermanagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Fermanagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. The county board is also responsible for the Fermanagh inter-county teams-History:...
in Ulster minor final.
The next year, 1972, Frank's inter-county contributions really started coming to the fore. He captained the minor team to another Ulster final victory, and eventually to the All-Ireland Minor Final. He also won the U-21 Ulster Championship, and came on as a substitute in the Tyrone Senior team in the Ulster Final
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
.
Early Senior career
McGuigan rose to the captaincy of the Tyrone Senior team, at the age of just nineteen leading the team to the 1973 Ulster Championship for the first time since 1957.He was also very successful al club level, 1972 being Ardboe's third county Championship victory in a row.
In 1977, McGuigan went to America as a representative of a touring Irish team, but decided to settle there after the tour was over, putting his playing career on temporary hiatus.
Later Senior career
He returned from America in 1983, and got straight back into the Tyrone fold, and in the Ulster Final of 1984, he put in his career-defining performance. Against local rivals ArmaghArmagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
, McGuigan scored eleven of Tyrone's points from open play - five on each foot, and one fisted over. This is considered one of the greatest individual performances in the modern G.A.A. era. It was voted as one of the Top 20 GAA Moments
Top 20 GAA Moments
Top 20 GAA Moments was a poll of the best moments of Gaelic football and hurling in the television era. In early 2005, the Irish public chose its favourite from 20 memorable moments from the last 40 years, as selected by ten RTÉ sports personalities and featured on the "Sunday Sport" programme...
of the previous forty years (i.e. since the dawn of televised matches).
This tally helped McGuigan top the scorer's list in the Ulster Championship with a total of 0-19.
Career's premature end
His Ulster Final display would prove to be his premature swansong. Days before receiving his All StarGAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
, McGuigan was involved in an horrific car crash that threatened, not only his playing career, but his life. He managed to get through the injuries, but his playing career was over.
Tyrone fans consider this one of the great tragedies of Tyrone football, especially considering Tyrone reached the All-Ireland final in 1986 for the very first time, and such an occasion would have heralded a man of McGuigan's class.
He has recently rejected the All Star, due to his low esteem held for the accolade. He felt his own award was cheapened by accusations that it was a "sympathy vote," and after his son, Brian
Brian McGuigan
Brian McGuigan is an All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He won three All-Ireland medals in 2003 , 2005 and 2008....
was overlooked in the 2005 honours, his opinion was strengthened.