Manus Boyle


Manus Boyle is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played for Na Cealla Beaga and Donegal. He writes a column for the Donegal Democrat and is a health coach.
He debuted for Donegal at 18 in 1985.
He fell out with manager Tom Conaghan in the 1980s, missing the 1989 Ulster SFC final. Brian McEniff restored him to the team in time for the 1990 Ulster SFC. Boyle played against Armagh in the 1990 Ulster final, won by Donegal, and scored 0–5.
He was a member of Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland SFC winning team and played county football from 1985 to 1998. He mostly played as a forward and was a free kick specialist. He started at left corner-forward against Dublin in the 1992 All-Ireland Final and scored 0–9 to claim the county's 1st title.
He played his last competitive game for Donegal in the 1998 Ulster SFC final against Derry. Earlier the same year, he contracted a virus that caused severe weight loss. He could not start the 1st round but played the semi-final against Cavan.
In May 2012, the Irish Independent named him as part of Donegal's "greatest team" of the past 50 years.
At club level he played for Na Cealla Beaga. He co-managed the team with Barry McGowan until 2008. Aged 44, he made a return to football as his club reached the final of the 2010 Donegal SFC.
He played soccer for St Catherine's.
Since March 2002, he writes a column for the Donegal Democrat, "The Breaking Ball".
In 2016, aged 50, he returned to education to study "Applied Health and Wellness Coaching" at St Angela's College in Sligo.