Legendary Monaghan footballer Eugene ‘Nudie’ Hughes has died at the age of 67.
The three-time All-Star, considered by many to be Monaghan’s greatest footballer, was diagnosed with cancer in 2018.
Hughes faced the battle with huge positivity, inspiring everyone who met him and supporting countless others. The Castleblayney Faughs legend put his outlook down to the huge support he got from his own family and friends and the wider GAA clan.
In 2024, Hughes was honoured by the Gaelic Players Association with a Lifetime Achievement award.
He was Monaghan’s first All-Star winner in 1979 and picked up two further personal accolades in 1985 and 1989. Hughes was one of only a small number of players to have been recognised in defence and attack; his first coming as a corner-back with the others coming as a corner-forward.
Those three All-Star winning years coincided with Monaghan winning the Ulster title.
Meanwhile in 1985, Hughes was also part of the team that won the National Football League.
He picked up a Railway Cup medal in 1984 as part of Ulster’s winning side and also won two Ulster football titles with Castleblayney.