McHugh's buzzing about final

Donegal’s Mark McHugh

Key to Donegal’s prospects of claiming back-to-back Ulster Championship crowns will be the ability of Mark McHugh to influence proceedings at Clones.

It’s nigh on impossible to accurately describe the role which the Kilcar man performs for this Tir Chonnail outfit. He’s a forward who spends most of his time in his own defence.

He plays as a sweeper yet he is the starting point of many of Donegal’s attacks. He sits deep yet he is one of their most dangerous attackers when he goes on one of his upfield excursions.

What is for certain is that it’s an all-action role which he plays, and one which he has made his own over the past 18 months, coinciding with his side’s emergence as real All-Ireland contenders.

Working as a sales rep for his father Martin’s MCM spirits and liqueur wholesale business over the summer means that the Sligo IT student has been able to experience first-hand the level of anticipation and excitement building around the county.

Last week he was on hand to pose for photographs and mix with the young stars at the GAA Cul Camp in Killybegs, and got to see just what it means to the GAA people of Donegal to be back in an Ulster final.

“There has been a great wee build up already and I’m sure it’ll get better again over the next week,” said McHugh.

“The feeling of being there again is just a great buzz. There is a great vibe around the county. I was out at summer camps this week and you can feel it everywhere.

“There were 170 kids out at the Cúl Camp in Killybegs and the final was all they wanted to talk about.

“It’s great with the times that we’re living in and it has given everybody a bit of hope.”

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday July 19. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here