Death mourned of Gaoth Dobhair GAA great Hughie Coyle in New York

Gaoth Dobhair GAA is mourning the passing of one of its greats, Hughie Coyle, in New York.

A native of Derrybeg, he moved to New York in the 1950s and made the Big Apple his home.

He played centre-half back for Gaoth Dobhair in their Donegal Senior Football Championship-winning teams of 1953 and 1954.

In ’53, Gaoth Dobhair defeated Carndonagh 1-5 to 1-4 in the final and they retained Dr Maguire the following year with a 1-6 to 0-5 victory against Donegal Town.

Coyle featured in the early rounds of the 1955 Championship, but had emigrated before Gaoth Dobhair completed a three-in-a-row via a 1-7 to 1-4 triumph over St Eunan’s.

He also won a Democrat Cup in 1953 when Gaoth Dobhair were confirmed as League winners.

Coyle played for Donegal in the 1954 All-Ireland Junior Championship final. Donegal lost 3-6 to 1-6 to Kerry at Croke Park in front of a crowd of 13,000.

He also featured in the McKenna Cup and Dr Lagan Cup for Donegal.

In 1965, Coyle played for New York against Galway in a National League final played at Gaelic Park in New York.

Galway, who beat Meath 0-8 to 1-2 in a home final at Croke Park, won over two legs across the Atlantic.

Coyle played in the first game which New York won 0-8 to 1-4 but didn’t feature in the second leg as Galway claimed a 3-8 to 0-9 win.

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Gaoth Dobhair GAA club said in a tribute: “Condolences to his family and friends here in Gaoth Dobhair and in America. May his noble soul rest in peace.”