He played club football for St Canice's GAC Dungiven and hurling for Kevin Lynch's.
In September 2008 he announced his interest in the vacant Derry Senior football manager's job.
[3] He added a second All-Star and Ulster medal in 1993 in addition to winning All-Ireland with Derry, defeating Cork in the final.
[4] Kevin Heffernan, manager of the Ireland international rules football team at the time, noticed McGilligan in a hurling match for Derry against Dublin in Parnell Park.
[5] He was so impressed with McGilligan's performance, that he asked him to play for Ireland in the 1986 International Rules series.