Boyle adds All-Ireland-winning pair to Donegal U20 backroom team
Gary Boyle has made two huge additions to his Donegal U-20 backroom team with legendary pair Martin McHugh and Frank McGlynn coming on board.
DonegalLive understands that the 1992 and 2012 All-Ireland winning duo will join Boyle in the dugout for 2027 and those acquisitions are expected to go before County Committee for approval this Monday night.
As well as that Celtic Cross medal picked up under Jim McGuinness’ watch 14 seasons ago, McGlynn is a five-time Ulster SFC winner with his native county. He was also an All-Star recipient back in 2012.
He has acted as player/boss with his native Glenfin for the past two seasons.
Martin McHugh is widely regarded as one of Donegal’s best ever footballers and in addition to 1992’s maiden All-Ireland triumph, the Kilcar native picked up three provincial titles as well as two All-Stars. He was also named the Texaco Footballer of the Year in 1992.
On the managerial front, McHugh famously led Cavan to their first Ulster title for 28 years in 1997, and won the Sigerson Cup with Sligo IT in 2004 and 2005. He’s also bossed Jordanstown at Third Level in the past.
McHugh was recently inducted into the GAA Hall of Fame at Croke Park.
It will be Boyle’s third season at the helm. In the Naomh Muire man’s first term in charge back in 2025, Donegal were just about squeezed out by Tyrone in the Ulster final, 2-14 to 1-19.
To compound Donegal’s misery, the Red Hand would go on to once again lift the All-Ireland crown at that level.
The sides renewed acquaintances in the Ulster semi-finals this season but on a wasteful night in front of the posts in Convoy, it was Tyrone that advanced 0-12 to 0-8.
Tyrone would again reach the All-Ireland decider but would come up short against Kerry in Croke Park.
Meanwhile, provisional fixtures for the 2027 National Football and Hurling Leagues are expected to be sent to counties in the next few days.
The counties will then have an opportunity to review the schedules before the fixtures are finalised for inclusion in the master list.
The provincial championship draws will take place on Thursday, November 19, with the event streamed live on the GAA+ YouTube channel.
In the Ulster SFC, Armagh, Derry, Donegal and Tyrone will not be involved in the preliminary round draw, having competed at that stage in each of the last two seasons.