The “sudden and heartbreaking” deaths of a former All-Ireland winning footballer and his wife have “cast a dark cloud” over the county of Donegal and beyond, their funerals have been told.
The service heard that James McHugh and his wife Noreen, who were in their 60s, “lived for each other”.
The couple’s son and daughter told mourners they had “lost our heroes”.
The funerals took place at Saint Carthas Church, Kilcar, Co Donegal, on Saturday.
Mr McHugh played senior football for Donegal in the 1990s and was a member of the team which won the county’s first ever All Ireland championship in 1992.
Other members of the 1992 team and current players formed a guard of honour outside the church before the funeral.
The large number of mourners were transported to the church in the village of Kilcar by buses from the nearby GAA club.
Delivering his homily, parish priest Father William Peoples recalled how the couple had been in the same church in June for the wedding of their daughter Emma.
He said: “It was a beautiful time.
“We had rehearsals here in the church, and of course, I did the usual to the mother of any bride.
“Was it a hat or a feather that you’re going to be putting on your head tomorrow?
“Noreen was well able for me in her lovely, lovely, quiet manner.
“The day of the wedding came, and it was buzzing with excitement and James walked up that floor, that good lengthy aisle, a very proud father, giving away his lovely daughter, and saying goodbye just in a different type of way.”
He recalled the pride in the county following Donegal’s first All-Ireland football triumph in 1992.
He said: “James was a very strong and talented footballer, and I think one of the proudest days of his life in 1992, when himself and Martin, his brother, and the ’92 team came home with Sam (Maguire Trophy).
“I remember all of that. I think I was in Donegal Town, and it was a fantastic time, it was a great time to rejoice in the county.
“It was a great time of togetherness among people.”
Father Peoples described Mr McHugh as a “very, very likeable man”.
Speaking about the couple, he said: “It is almost is something that’s made for the movies when Noreen and James started going out with each other, knowing each other so well….. I don’t think that anybody else ever mattered to them.
“They loved each other that deeply. One just lived for the other, and that was very evident.”
He said Ms McHugh had worked for years as the secretary in the local school, describing her as an “anchor”.
Father Peoples said: “James and Noreen had their individual talents, but you know what’s most important for us to be aware of is this: while we excel ourselves in our football, or our cooking, or our school management, that doesn’t necessarily define the person.
“They much more than that, that was their giftedness. That was what God had given them. They showed it, but they loved their family.
“That’s what was important: the love for the family unit, the love for the home, his love for his house and the work that he did in it, and her love for the garden.”
The priest then read a message of sympathy from Bishop of Raphoe Niall Coll, who described the deaths as “tragic and untimely”.
The message continued: “Their sudden and heartbreaking deaths have cast a dark cloud over the entire diocese, county and beyond.
“James and Noreen were highly respected members of the Kilcar parish and of the county community.
“As a most valued member of the Donegal All-Ireland winning team of 1992, as an All-Star footballer, as a most dedicated and key player with his beloved native Kilcar in their most glorious years and as a servant of the community in his work with the ESB, James held a special place in the hearts of the people of Kilcar, Donegal and beyond.
“As the wonderfully efficient and most loved secretary of the parish school for over 20 years Noreen was treasured by the entire community.
“We are numbed by their deaths but consoled by their legacy.”
Mr and Mrs McHugh’s son and daughter Eoin and Emma addressed mourners at the conclusion of the funerals.
Emma thanked Gardaí and healthcare staff who had cared for her mother in her final hours.
She said: “We are forever grateful, and it gives myself and Eoin great comfort to know that our parents were so loved.”
Eoin said: “For us, we’ve lost our best friends. Our shoulders to cry on, our first phone call when something went wrong.
“We’ve lost our heroes.”
He added: “Not everyone gets to meet their soulmate, but we have comfort in knowing that we can safely say our mum and dad were meant for each other.
“They were always great for heading off on their adventures and touring.
“Just head off with their picnics and bags packed and just seeing where the road takes them.
“Always together, always happy.”
The couple, who were both in their 60s, were involved in a collision between a car and a van on the N3 at Drummallaght, between Virginia and Cavan, Co Cavan, on Monday.
Mr McHugh, the driver of the car, was killed in the crash.
His wife Noreen, aged in her 60s, was seriously injured and airlifted to Beaumont Hospital for treatment.
On Tuesday evening, Gardaí confirmed that she had also died.
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