Manus Boyle

Manus Boyle
Personal information
Sport Gaelic football
Position Forward
Born September 1966
Club(s)
Years Club
19??–?
 Na Cealla Beaga
Inter-county(ies)
Years County Apps (scores)
1985–1998
 Donegal 116 (14–308)[1]
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 2
All-Irelands 1
All Stars 0

Manus Boyle (born 1966) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played for Na Cealla Beaga and the Donegal county team. He writes a column for the Donegal Democrat ("The Breaking Ball") and is a health coach.[2]

He played county football from 1985 to 1998, mostly at forward and was a free kick specialist.

He debuted for Donegal at 18 in 1985,[3] fell out with manager Tom Conaghan in the 1980s,[4] missing the 1989 Ulster SFC final,[5] Brian McEniff restored him to the team in time for the 1990 Ulster SFC.[4]

He played his last competitive game for Donegal in the 1998 Ulster SFC final against Derry.[3] Earlier the same year, he contracted a virus that caused severe weight loss.[3] He could not start the 1st round but played the semi-final against Cavan.[3]

In May 2012, the Irish Independent named him as part of Donegal's "greatest team" of the past 50 years.[6]

At club level he played for Na Cealla Beaga.[7] He co-managed the team with Barry McGowan until 2008.[7] Aged 44, returned to play football as his club reached 2010 Donegal SFC final.[8]

He played soccer for St Catherine's.[9]

Since March 2002,[2] he writes a column for the Donegal Democrat, "The Breaking Ball".[10]

In 2016, aged 50, he returned to education to study "Applied Health and Wellness Coaching" at St Angela's College in Sligo.[2]

  1. ^ McNulty, Chris (14 August 2018). "Numbers stack up as Michael Murphy tops Donegal's all-time charts". Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Boyle, Manus. "Health and Wellness Coach". Linkedin. Linkedin.
  3. ^ a b c d Crowe, Dermot (6 October 2019). "The last day". Sunday Independent. p. 10 (Sport).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference 1990_winners was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ McNulty, Chris (22 September 2017). "Declan Bonner: It'll be 'all or nothing' for Donegal's 'half mad' new manager". Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  6. ^ "GAA: Donegal's greatest team of the past 50 years named". 14 May 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  7. ^ a b Foley, Alan (8 January 2009). "The heroes of '92 — Where are they now?". Donegal Democrat. Archived from the original on 18 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  8. ^ Boyle, Donnchadh (2 October 2010). "Boyle looks to defy logic and inspire injury-hit Killybegs to shock title success". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 October 2010. The 44-year-old started training for a marathon, but the hard road was unforgiving and reignited a few old injuries. The sod of the club's field was more forgiving [...] Incredibly, he has featured off the bench in recent matches and he's likely to do the same tomorrow.
  9. ^ Foley, Alan (25 June 2015). "Hugh McFadden takes scenic route to Donegal set-up". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  10. ^ Boyle, Manus (24 October 2013). "Breaking Ball". Donegal Democrat.