McHugh savours special feeling with Donegal’s ‘crazy’ gang

In his man-of-the-match performance during yesterday’s Ulster final, Mark McHugh covered every blade of grass in Clones, the same hallowed turf that was then swamped with Donegal folk after they retained their crown.

Jim McGuinness’s side justified their tag of favourites with an impressive win over the team managed by James McCartan.

McHugh’s selflessness and work rate in both defence and attack means his role is imperative to McGuinness’s evolving blueprint. For years Donegal had the unwanted reputation of partying at inappropriate times but the outpouring of joy yesterday was certainly merited.

“It just shows what it means to the people of Donegal,” said McHugh after the game.

“They came out to support us last year but that was just crazy out there today. It means everything to us, the players, the management. It’s a great day for Donegal football.

“I was just accepting the man-of-the-match award on behalf of the team because there was 19 players out there who played extraordinary football.”

Donegal weren’t at their energetic best in the first-half but still went in a point to the good with Leo McLoone’s goal the pivotal score.

Then, in a totally dominant second 35 minutes Frank McGlynn sliced through the heart of the Down defence for a second goal.

“Only for Leo’s goal two or three minutes before half-time we could’ve gone in two or three points down at half-time,” McHugh added.

“Lucky enough we got it and we came out a point up for the start of the second-half. We got our second wind and really took off when Frank scored the second goal, which really killed it off.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of this team. It’s a real special feeling. Going back to Donegal town last year was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had.

“We probably felt a lot more pressure coming into today. We were probably a lot more nervous, I know I was myself. But once we got here it was another occasion to enjoy.”

Donegal’s appreciation of just how difficult a championship is to negotiate means they’ll never underestimate the value of same.

Now though, their attention will turn to Croke Park and the All-Ireland series on August Bank Holiday and regardless of who progresses from this coming weekend’s fourth round qualifiers, few teams will want to be paired with them.

“We’re just going to have to get fully focused for the next game now,” McHugh said.

“Whoever it is we’re going to go into Croke Park a confident team. We feel we’ve worked hard enough and deserve to be there.

“Hopefully we can push on to bigger and better things. We were disappointed last year after the Dublin match but whoever we get this year hopefully we’ll be a different team. Hopefully we’ll have gained experience and push onto that All-Ireland final.”