Monaghan GAA legend Eugene ‘Nudie’ Hughes dies aged 67 after cancer battle

The GAA community is in mourning today at the sad news of the passing of Monaghan football legend Eugene ‘Nudie’ Hughes who has passed away at the age of 67 after a long battle with illness

The GAA community is in mourning following the sad news of the passing of Monaghan football legend Eugene ‘Nudie’ Hughes.

The 67 year old, who had been battling illness for a long time, is considered by many as one of the greatest footballers ever to emerge from Monaghan.

Hughes had been fighting cancer since his diagnosis in 2018. The Castleblayney Faughs clubman made history as the first Monaghan man to be awarded an All-Star in 1979, when he played a pivotal role in Monaghan’s victory in the Ulster Senior Football Championship.

Two more All-Stars followed in 1985 and 1988, with Monaghan taking home the Anglo Celt Cup in both of these seasons.

‘Nudie’s’ first All-Star came as a corner-back, with his second and third awards coming courtesy of his performances as a corner-forward.

At club level, he won numerous Monaghan titles with Castleblayney and was also a member of two Ulster Club Championship wins in 1986 and 1991.

In a statement on social media, Monaghan GAA said: “It is with deep and profound sadness that Monaghan GAA has learned of the passing of one of our greatest ever players, Eugene ‘Nudie’ Hughes.

“Nudie’s contribution to our county was immense. Nudie fought his illness with immense courage and dignity. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

BBC journalist Thomas Niblock wrote “The great Nudie Hughes has died. I can’t find the words to do him justice. A beautiful human being. He joined us on the GAA Social Podcast earlier this year. He’s been living with cancer since 2018. In football and in life, his attitude was different class.”