Donegal All-Ireland winner Mark McHugh joins Galway club as coach, Kevin Walsh returns to Killannin

GALWAY BOUND: Declan Bonner with Mark McHugh. Pic Credit: Ryan Byrne, Inpho.

Former Donegal star Mark McHugh has joined Galway club Moycullen as a coach ahead of the 2024 season.

The 2012 All-Ireland winner and All-Star was part of Roscommon manager Davy Burke’s management ticket last year but departed in November due to travel commitments.

McHugh attended university in Galway and travels down for work weekly. McHugh is also committed to playing for his home club Kilcar this season.

“He will be helping us out when he can throughout the season,” the club said in a statement. “We feel that he will really bring something extra to the group throughout the year.”

Moycullen won the Connacht club championship in 2022 and were beaten by Corofin in the Galway SFC decider last November. It is understood Roscommon’s Don Connellan, who led them to two county titles, has since stepped down as manager. Cathal Clancy, a selector and analyst over recent campaigns, is set to take over.

Neighbouring senior club Killannin have announced Gay O’Brien as their new manager. The former Galway Ladies’ boss previously managed the club in 2004 and 2005. It was confirmed former Galway manager Kevin Walsh will assist as a coach.

In the late 90s, Walsh was player-manager of his home club. He is also currently a member of Cork manager John Cleary’s backroom team.

Elsewhere, former Galway dual player Barry Cullinane has succeeded Leonard McNamara at Clare hurling club Ballyea. Cullinane previously managed Turloughmore in the Galway SHC and been involved as a coach with NUI Galway, the Galway U21 footballers and the Cork senior ladies football team.

Joe Hession, who has part of the coaching group in Turloughmore, is also on board with the 2017 All-Ireland finalists.