Hugh McFadden takes scenic route to Donegal set-up

Like many from his hometown of Killybegs, Hugh McFadden was often hop-scotching between soccer and Gaelic games.

McFadden is from the fishing town in south-west Donegal, a place where there’s an understanding between the local GAA club Killybegs and the soccer equivalent, St Catherine’s FC.

The hallways at either Fintra or Emerald Park contain dozens of team photographs showing the likes of Republic of Ireland and Everton right-back Seamus Coleman, as well as former county footballers Declan Boyle, Barry McGowan and Manus Boyle, who scored nine points in the 1992 All-Ireland final as Donegal overcame Dublin.

“Like any of the rest of the lads in Killybegs, my interest in soccer started at St Catherine’s,” 21-year-old McFadden says.

“When I was 16 or 17, I signed for Finn Harps. I got an opportunity to sign for Sligo Rovers on a one-year scholarship.

“I thought it was a great move at the time. Sligo were flying and won the Premier Division in 2012. But it wasn’t to be.

“A few League of Ireland clubs showed interest. At the very same time Maxi Curran, the Donegal U21 manager, gave me a call. After the buzz of the 2012 All-Ireland, this was a really good opportunity for me to be part of something special.

“Thankfully I got a call from Jim McGuinness about three months later. There are no regrets there. The way Gaelic football has taken off in Donegal — I wanted to be involved.”

Rory Gallagher, the Donegal manager, lives in Killybegs and was the Ulster SFC’s top-scorer in three successive seasons from 2000 to 2002 and also a former trialist at Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers. Gallagher’s Donegal face Derry tomorrow in the Ulster SFC semi-final.

“They’ve been playing Division 1 football for the last two years so they’ll be at a level like ourselves,” McFadden added of Brian McIver’s team.

“This will be a huge struggle. That’s what we’re preparing for. You look at Eoin Bradley and Mark Lynch to name a few. This Derry side possesses match winners.”