| 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]
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.