Brian McGuigan
Encyclopedia
Brian McGuigan is an All Star-winning
Tyrone
Gaelic football
er. He won three All-Ireland medals
in 2003 (when he won his All Star), 2005 and 2008.
His playing style is that of the creative playmaker - picking out passes to his full forwards, as well as taking his own scores, usually at vital junctures of a game. The main key to his play that sets him apart from his contemporaries is his ability to control the pace, and direction of a match, through leading by example. Peter Canavan
, whose influence since his retirement has been missed, has expressed he feels McGuigan's leadership is the key to any Tyrone success, and have struggled to take control of matches in his long absence.
His father is Tyrone legend, Frank McGuigan
, but Brian has successfully stepped out of his father's shadow, because of his own achievements.
, and back-to-back triumphs in the Under 21 championships
in 2000 and 2001.
McGuigan's influence on the team may be illustrated by Tyrone's mammoth run to the 2005 All-Ireland triumph. During the early stages of the season, they were having difficulty beating teams in the Ulster Championship
. McGuigan had been absent from the team because he wanted to take a year out to travel. While he was away he was contacted by the Tyrone staff to return to the Tyrone team, so he cut his holiday short to return to action, and despite being less than match fit he came on as a substitute in his first game back. He was subsequently chosen as a starter for the rest of the Championship, which coincided with Tyrone's return to form with the return of their main playmaker.
He was denied an All Star that year, which caused a lot of controversy, even prompting his father, Frank
, to put his own medal up for sale, due to his lowered opinion of the accolade.
match against Dromore
. He was out of action for nearly a year, but has now made an appearance in a club game, and had set a target of March 31 as his comeback game for Tyrone.
However, complication arose two weeks before his scheduled comeback, and he had to undergo keyhole surgery. The treatment meant he missed a lot of time from his job as a joiner, and because Gaelic Games are amateur sports, he was losing income, and was benefited no financial compensation from the GAA. Across Ireland, help has been provided for a locally set up organisation that is trying to assist him through the difficult period. This is a testament to his popularity even among his rivals, as a player and a person.
His nightmare year was further compounded in May 2007, when in a reserve game for his club, he suffered an eye injury, that required eight stitches. It has been confirmed that he should not be included in the Tyrone panel for their Ulster Championship
campaign. While there were fears that the eye injury may lead to serious long-term damage to his eyesight,http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2007/0619/mcguigan.html?gaa McGuigan has reportedly been making good progress as of September 2007, and made a substitution comeback during the 2008 National League
against Laois
.
McGuigan went on to regain his place as a regular starter on the Tyrone team in the summer of 2008 as the team won its third All-Ireland title. McGuigan was named on the team for the final against Kerry but dropped to the bench before the throw it with Martin Penrose starting at centre half forward. McGuigan was however introduced for the closing 20 minutes and had a strong influence in Tyrone taking control and winning the match.
His younger brother Tommy also played in the match and scored 1-1.
McGuigan called time on his inter-county career in November 2011.
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er. He won three All-Ireland medals
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
in 2003 (when he won his All Star), 2005 and 2008.
His playing style is that of the creative playmaker - picking out passes to his full forwards, as well as taking his own scores, usually at vital junctures of a game. The main key to his play that sets him apart from his contemporaries is his ability to control the pace, and direction of a match, through leading by example. Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
, whose influence since his retirement has been missed, has expressed he feels McGuigan's leadership is the key to any Tyrone success, and have struggled to take control of matches in his long absence.
His father is Tyrone legend, Frank McGuigan
Frank McGuigan
Frank McGuigan is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer and father of current Tyrone player, Brian McGuigan. Despite his playing career being cut short by a car crash, which broke his leg, he is considered a legend in Tyrone football, alongside players such as Frankie Donnelly and Peter Canavan.He is...
, but Brian has successfully stepped out of his father's shadow, because of his own achievements.
Playing career
At underage level, McGuigan was part of the team that captured All-Ireland gold in 1998 in the Minor championshipAll-Ireland Minor Football Championship
The All-Ireland Minor Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors of the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
, and back-to-back triumphs in the Under 21 championships
All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
in 2000 and 2001.
McGuigan's influence on the team may be illustrated by Tyrone's mammoth run to the 2005 All-Ireland triumph. During the early stages of the season, they were having difficulty beating teams in the Ulster Championship
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
. McGuigan had been absent from the team because he wanted to take a year out to travel. While he was away he was contacted by the Tyrone staff to return to the Tyrone team, so he cut his holiday short to return to action, and despite being less than match fit he came on as a substitute in his first game back. He was subsequently chosen as a starter for the rest of the Championship, which coincided with Tyrone's return to form with the return of their main playmaker.
He was denied an All Star that year, which caused a lot of controversy, even prompting his father, Frank
Frank McGuigan
Frank McGuigan is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer and father of current Tyrone player, Brian McGuigan. Despite his playing career being cut short by a car crash, which broke his leg, he is considered a legend in Tyrone football, alongside players such as Frankie Donnelly and Peter Canavan.He is...
, to put his own medal up for sale, due to his lowered opinion of the accolade.
Long term injury
Shortly before the 2006 season, McGuigan suffered an horrific double leg break in a clubTyrone Senior Club Football Championship
The Tyrone Senior Football Club Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the top Tyrone clubs...
match against Dromore
Dromore St. Dympna's
Dromore St. Dympna's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the village of Dromore in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.The club was established in 1933....
. He was out of action for nearly a year, but has now made an appearance in a club game, and had set a target of March 31 as his comeback game for Tyrone.
However, complication arose two weeks before his scheduled comeback, and he had to undergo keyhole surgery. The treatment meant he missed a lot of time from his job as a joiner, and because Gaelic Games are amateur sports, he was losing income, and was benefited no financial compensation from the GAA. Across Ireland, help has been provided for a locally set up organisation that is trying to assist him through the difficult period. This is a testament to his popularity even among his rivals, as a player and a person.
His nightmare year was further compounded in May 2007, when in a reserve game for his club, he suffered an eye injury, that required eight stitches. It has been confirmed that he should not be included in the Tyrone panel for their Ulster Championship
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
campaign. While there were fears that the eye injury may lead to serious long-term damage to his eyesight,http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2007/0619/mcguigan.html?gaa McGuigan has reportedly been making good progress as of September 2007, and made a substitution comeback during the 2008 National League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
against Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
.
McGuigan went on to regain his place as a regular starter on the Tyrone team in the summer of 2008 as the team won its third All-Ireland title. McGuigan was named on the team for the final against Kerry but dropped to the bench before the throw it with Martin Penrose starting at centre half forward. McGuigan was however introduced for the closing 20 minutes and had a strong influence in Tyrone taking control and winning the match.
His younger brother Tommy also played in the match and scored 1-1.
McGuigan called time on his inter-county career in November 2011.