Paul Coyle (1967 – 17 June 2024) was a Gaelic footballer and selector from Northern Ireland. At club level he played with Devenish St Mary's and Swatragh and at inter-county level with the Fermanagh senior football team.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Gaelic football | ||
| Position | Left corner-forward | ||
| Born |
1967 Belleek, Northern Ireland | ||
| Died |
(aged 56) Swatragh, Northern Ireland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Nickname | Coyler | ||
| Occupation | General manager | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
|
Devenish St Mary's Swatragh | |||
| Club titles | |||
| Fermanagh titles | 5 | ||
| Colleges(s) | |||
| Years | College | ||
| Ulster University | |||
| College titles | |||
| Sigerson titles | 1 | ||
| Inter-county(ies) | |||
| Years | County | ||
1984–1995 | Fermanagh | ||
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Ulster titles | 0 | ||
| All-Irelands | 0 | ||
| NFL | 0 | ||
| All Stars | 0 | ||
Playing career
editCoyle first played Gaelic football at juvenile and underage levels with the Devenish St Mary's. After progressing to the club's senior team he went on to win five Fermanagh SFC titles in an 11-year period between 1985 and 1996.[2] He later transferred to the Swatragh club in Derry. Coyle also lined out for Ulster University and was part of a Ryan Cup–Sigerson Cup double in 1987.[3]
At inter-county level, Coyle first played for Fermanagh as a member of the minor team in 1984. He later progressed to the under-21 team but ended his underage career without success. Coyle was still eligible for the minor grade when he made his senior team debut in a National Football League game in 1984. His inter-county career ended in 1995.[4]
Coaching career
editCoyle was part of Malachy O'Rourke's management team when he took charge of the Fermanagh senior team in 2007.[5] During his tenure with the team, Fermanagh qualified for their first Ulster SFC final in 26 years but lost to Armagh after a replay.[6]
Death
editCoyle died suddenly on 17 June 2024, at the age of 56.[7]
Honours
edit- Ulster University
- Sigerson Cup: 1987
- Ryan Cup: 1987
- Devenish St Mary's
- Fermanagh Senior Football Championship: 1985, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1996
References
edit- ^ "Paul Coyle". Hogan Stand. 14 May 1993. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Bellaghy survive late scare to deny battling Devenish". The Irish News. 7 October 1996. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "UUJ Sigerson reunion for 1986, '87 and '91 squads". Hogan Stand. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Paul Coyle tributes paid following sudden death of ex-county star and Sigerson Cup winner". Belfast Live. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "O'Rourke confirmed as Fermanagh boss". RTÉ Sport. 16 October 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Armagh win Ulster replay". Irish Examiner. 27 July 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Tributes paid to Fermanagh great Paul Coyle after sudden death". Derry Now. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.