It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Frank McGuigan. The Gaels of Ulster stand shoulder to shoulder with the McGuigan family, the Ardboe O’Donovan Rossa Club and the Tyrone County Committee in the passing of a true legend of the game.
Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s Frank graced the playing fields of Ireland and New York and when the great Gaelic footballers of the ages are discussed, ‘King Frank’ has earned the right for a seat at that table.
In 1972 Frank played on the Tyrone Minor Football team that retained their Ulster title and later in the afternoon came off the bench to play in the senior final against Donegal. The following year, at the age of just 19, he captained Tyrone to their second Ulster title as they recorded a 3-13 to 1-11 victory over Down. He also won an Ulster U-21 medal that year.
The USA came calling and Frank returned to these shores and in 1984 he had the performance of a lifetime in that year’s Ulster Final. In what has become known as ‘The Frank McGuigan Final’, the Ardboe stalwart scored 11 points from play – eight with the left foot, two with the right foot and one with the fist – as Tyrone defeated Armagh by 0-15 to 1-7.
That performance was to win Frank an All-Star and, also in 1984, he collected a Railway Cup medal. A great year got better as he collected a fourth Tyrone County title, adding to his trio of Championship medals from 1971-73. However, his luck turned and a serious car crash that year ended his playing days. He continued to serve his beloved Ardboe as a mentor and manager.
His four sons, Frank, Brian, Tommy and Shay all followed in the footsteps of their father in wearing the Tyrone jersey with pride and we extend our deepest condolences to them, to his wife Geraldine, his daughters Kristin and Caitlin and the entire McGuigan family.
Frank may be gone but he will never be forgotten.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
By Michael Devlin Mon 25th May
