Ryan McHugh

Donegal Gaelic footballer

Ryan McHughPersonal information

Irish name|  Riain Mac Aodha[1]
Sport|  Gaelic football
Position|  Left half forward
Born|  (1994-04-11) 11 April 1994 (age 30)
Letterkenny, Ireland
Height|  1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Occupation|  Business development manager
at Ocean Knowledge[2]
Club(s)
Years|  Club

2011–

|  Cill Chartha
Club titles
Donegal titles|  1
Inter-county(ies)*
Years|  County|  Apps (scores)

2013–

|  Donegal|  57 (8–43)
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles|  3
All Stars|  2
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of match played 30 June 2024.

Ryan McHugh (born 11 April 1994) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Cill Chartha and the Donegal county team. He is the brother of Mark and the son of Martin.

A former county minor, McHugh propelled himself onto the national stage in 2014 with a 2–2 blitz of reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin in their live televised semi-final meeting at Croke Park.

## Early life and family

[edit]

McHugh was reared in Bavin, in south-west Donegal.[3] He is the son of Patrice and the brother of Rachel.[4]

He is also the son of Martin, the BBC television analyst and 1992 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winner.[5] His son Mark, Ryan's older brother, is also an All-Ireland SFC winner with Donegal.[6] Ryan McHugh's uncle James also played in the 1992 All-Ireland Final and received an All Star in 1992. His cousin Eoin is James's son.[7]

## Playing career

[edit]

### Club

[edit]

With his club Cill Chartha, McHugh won the 2012 Donegal Minor Football Championship as team captain.[8] He scored one point in the final.[9]

He also won the 2017 Donegal Senior Football Championship, scoring a point in the final. It was the first time his club had won the title in 24 years, having been defeated by Glenswilly at the same stage the previous year.[10]

### Inter-county

[edit]

#### Underage

[edit]

McHugh won an All-Ireland Vocational Schools Championship and captained the 2012 Donegal minor team.

He played in the team that lost to Cavan in the 2013 Ulster Under-21 Football Championship final, though had been troubled by a calf injury beforehand.[11][12]

He also played in the team that lost to Cavan in the 2014 Ulster Under-21 Football Championship final.[13]

He played in the 2015 Ulster Under-21 Football Championship final loss to Tyrone.[14]

#### Jim McGuinness: 2012–14

[edit]

Jim McGuinness drafted McHugh into his senior squad ahead of the 2013 season, with Donegal the defending All-Ireland champions.[15][16] Colm Keys of the Irish Independent named him as the third of his "ten young guns aiming to fire in the league" ahead of the 2013 National Football League.[17]

McHugh made his senior competitive debut in a home game against Down in the 2013 National Football League on 9 February 2013.[18][19][20] He made his senior championship debut against Down as well later that year in June. Photographs of him appeared in the media the following day.[21]

McHugh won his first Ulster Senior Football Championship title in 2014, scoring one point as Donegal defeated Monaghan in the final.[22]

McHugh propelled himself onto the national stage with a 2–2 blitz of All-Ireland SFC title holder Dublin in the 2014 semi-final meeting at Croke Park on 31 August.[23] Man of the match in that game, McHugh described himself as "fortunate" to have scored his two goals.[24] His brother Mark left him to the bus that morning, then sat by "and watched as [Ryan McHugh] became a household name in one afternoon".[25] Donegal qualified for the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final but lost to Kerry by a single score, with Colm McFadden striking the goalpost to the left of goalkeeper Brian Kelly in the third minute of stoppage time.[26] In October 2014, McHugh was named as that year's GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year.[27]

#### Bonner–McGuinness interim: 2014–17

[edit]

Under the management of McGuinness's Rory Gallagher, McHugh started the opening fixture of the 2015 National Football League at home to Derry.[28] He also started the next game against Dublin at Croke Park, the third fixture against Cork in Ballyshannon and the fourth fixture against Monaghan.[29][30][31] He started the fifth fixture against Kerry at Austin Stack Park and scored a goal.[32] He started the sixth fixture against Tyrone and scored 1–1.[33] He also started the seventh fixture against Mayo.[34] Donegal qualified for the NFL semi-final. McHugh also started and completed this game but was held scoreless.[35][36]

McHugh started the 2015 Ulster SFC final.[37] He had previously started the preliminary round against Tyrone, the quarter-final against Armagh and the semi-final against Derry.[38][39][40] McHugh scored an important goal in the 2015 All-Ireland SFC qualifier defeat of Galway at Croke Park and started the next game against Mayo at the same venue.[41][42]

McHugh started the opening fixture of the 2016 National Football League away to Down and scored 2–0.[43] He then started the second fixture against Cork, a ten-point win in Ballyshannon.[44] He started the third fixture against Mayo and scored 0–2.[45] He started the fourth fixture, away to Kerry at Austin Stack Park.[46] He started the fifth fixture against Roscommon and scored 0–1.[47] He also started the sixth and seventh fixtures, away to Dublin at Croke Park and Monaghan in Castleblayney respectively.[48][49] Donegal qualified for the NFL semi-final. McHugh started this game too.[50]

McHugh started the 2016 Ulster SFC final, scoring 0–3.[51] He had previously started the quarter-final against Fermanagh, the semi-final against Monaghan and the semi-final replay against the same opposition.[52][53][54] McHugh scored 0–3 in the 2016 All-Ireland SFC qualifier defeat of Cork at Croke Park.[55] He then scored yet another goal against reigning All-Ireland SFC champions Dublin in the next game, at the same venue.[56][57] His performances during the 2016 season earned him an All Star, the county's 32nd.[4]

McHugh started the opening fixture of the 2017 National Football League against Kerry and scored 0–1.[58] He then started the second fixture away to Roscommon.[59] He scored another goal against Dublin in the third round of fixtures.[60] He started the fourth fixture against Cavan and scored 0–1.[61] He started the fifth fixture against Tyrone and scored 0–2.[62] He also started the sixth fixture against Monaghan.[63]

McHugh started the 2017 Ulster SFC quarter-final victory against Antrim (scoring 0–1) and the semi-final loss to Tyrone.[64][65] He started the 2017 All-Ireland SFC qualifier defeat of Meath at Páirc Tailteann and scored a goal.[66] He then started the qualifier loss to Galway at Markievicz Park.[67]

#### Declan Bonner: 2017–2022

[edit]

Under the management of Declan Bonner, McHugh started for Donegal in the opening fixture of the 2018 National Football League against Kerry in Killarney.[68] He scored a point in the next game against Galway.[69] He scored 0–3 in the third game against Dublin and 1–2 in the fourth game against Kildare.[70][71] He started against Tyrone and Monaghan in the fifth and sixth games, though was not part of the seventh game against Mayo.[72][73][74]

McHugh started the final and scored a goal as Donegal secured the 2018 Ulster SFC.[75] He had previously started the preliminary round against Cavan (scoring a goal), the quarter-final against Derry (scoring 0–2) and the semi-final against Down (again scoring 0–2).[76][77][78]

On 26 September 2018, however, it was announced that McHugh had accepted medical advice and would be sidelined for the remainder of the year due to concussion.[79][80][81] His injury came while playing for his club in a challenge match against Dublin champions St Vincents in Cavan in late August 2018 — he received a blow to the head during that match.[82][81] Concussion had also caused McHugh to spend six weeks on the sideline following a 2018 National Football League game (against Kildare[81] or Tyrone[79][80] depending on which report you read) earlier that year.[82][81] The injury meant he could take no part in the 2018 Donegal Senior Football Championship (of which his club were the defending champions), news which was worsened when taken in the context of the earlier loss of McHugh's club and county teammate Patrick McBrearty to a cruciate ligament injury.[83] McHugh won a second All-Star at the end of the season.[84][85] This remarkable achievement was further contextualized when McHugh later revealed he had suffered a "a slight bleed" in his brain and two concussions in seven months during that season.[86]

McHugh started against Clare in the opening fixture of the 2019 National Football League in Ennis.[87] He also started the next fixtures against Meath, Tipperary, Fermanagh and Armagh.[88][89][90][91] He started and scored two points in the sixth fixture against Cork.[92] He started the seventh fixture against Kildare and scored three points.[93] Donegal qualified for the National Football League Division 2 final and McHugh started the game as Donegal defeated Meath to win the title.[94]

McHugh won his third Ulster SFC in 2019, scoring one point as Donegal defeated Cavan in the final.[95] He had previously started the quarter-final against Fermanagh and the semi-final against Tyrone (scoring 0–1 in the latter game).[96][97]

McHugh started each of Donegal's first five fixtures of the 2020 National Football League against Mayo, Meath, Galway, Dublin and Monaghan, though he scored only once (against Mayo in the opening game).[98][99][100][101][102] Then the COVID-19 pandemic brought play to a halt. Play resumed behind closed doors on 18 October with a home game against Tyrone; McHugh started that game and scored three points.[103] He did not participate in the concluding game of the league campaign (away to Kerry) as he and other senior players (such as Michael Murphy, Hugh McFadden and Eoghan Bán Gallagher) were rested ahead of the 2020 Ulster SFC quarter-final against Tyrone the following Sunday.[104] McHugh started and completed that opening victory against Tyrone, though he did not score.[105] He also started the semi-final victory against Armagh, scoring two points.[106] McHugh made his hundredth appearance for Donegal against Cavan in the 2020 Ulster SFC final.[107] He scored a point in what proved to be the season's concluding game for his team.[108]

McHugh started in the half-back line in each of Donegal's four fixtures of the 2021 National Football League (against Tyrone, Monaghan, Armagh and Dublin), completing all four and scoring a point against Armagh.[109][110][111][112]

In the 2021 Ulster SFC, he started each of Donegal's three fixtures and scored four points against Down in the opening round but was held scoreless against Derry in the quarter-final and against Tyrone in the semi-final.[113][114][115]

McHugh started each of Donegal's fixtures of the 2022 National Football League, against Mayo, Kildare, Kerry, Tyrone, Monaghan, Dublin and Armagh. He scored a point against Mayo, followed by a goal and a point in the second fixture against Kildare.[116][117] He did not score in the third fixture, away to Kerry.[118] He scored a point against Tyrone in the fourth fixture but failed to score again in the next game, a loss to Monaghan.[119][120] He then scored a point away to Dublin in the penultimate fixture, before being held scoreless in the win against Armagh at O'Donnell Park.[121][122]

In the 2022 Ulster SFC, McHugh started each of Donegal's three fixtures but was held scoreless in two of them, the quarter-final against Armagh and the semi-final against Cavan.[123][124] He scored one point in the final against Derry but his team lost that game after extra-time.[125] He also started the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier loss to Armagh, scoring a point.[126]

#### After Declan Bonner: 2022–

[edit]

After not playing until that point of the 2023 season due to injury, McHugh confirmed his departure from the panel in early April (ahead of the championship), due to a combination of injury and an employment offer that involved travelling abroad.[127][128]

## Player profile

[edit]

McHugh's footballing intelligence is equivalent to that of Peter Canavan and his instincts are similar to Maurice Fitzgerald.[3] He is possessed of a low centre of gravity and a slight physical frame.[3] With an excellent positional sense, he dips his shoulders to set off on a run.[3] Over 30 metres he can accelerate his pace.[3] His mannerisms and temperament are more similar to his father than the other McHughs.[3] Though he plays in the half-back line, he is often a goalscorer.[3]

McHugh has been likened to a child of school-going age — "You'd think he had just stepped off a school bus", Benny Tierney, the GAA pundit, once said. His former county manager Jim McGuinness has suggested: "Even when the big hits are going in, Ryan has the ability to summon that little shimmy that helps to take him past defenders and allows him to set up colleagues."[129] Ciarán Kilkenny is another admirer.[56]

## Other activities

[edit]

### English Football League Championship

[edit]

McHugh, though from a football family, often used to play a bit of soccer with St Catherine's "as a distraction".[130][131] A scout for the professional English league side Reading spotted him at the age of 16 and McHugh was invited to England for a trial.[130][131][132] However, after playing several games,[131] McHugh decided he would prefer to return to football so off he went, back home.[131] That Reading team, then managed by Brian McDermott, were one year away from promotion to the Premier League.[130]

### Peil Star video

[edit]

In 2016, Ryan appeared in a street Gaelic football film created by Peil Star with Kieran Hughes (Monaghan), Richie Donnelly (Tyrone) and Niall McKeever (Antrim). The film was shot at Belfast's Titanic Quarter.[133]

## Personal life

[edit]

On Friday, 15 December 2023, McHugh married Bridget Molloy,[134] originally from Ardara, County Donegal,[135] with the ceremony taking place at Ardara Church, the reception being held at Jackson's Hotel in Ballybofey, and then the celebrations continuing the following day at the Blue Haven Hotel in Kilcar.[136] They had not decided then on where to go on their honeymoon.[132] McHugh and Molloy had dated for 11 years,[136] and McHugh had spoken about her since at least 2016.[132] McHugh announced their engagement while in New York City in July 2022.[137] Though they met in Sligo while attending college, McHugh and Molloy had been close to one another in County Donegal without noticing each other until that time.[136] They began sharing an apartment in Donegal Town from November 2019 onwards.[2][138] Molloy also attended the University of Galway, before taking up employment with the Health Service Executive (HSE).[139]

As of 2020, Ryan McHugh was working at Ocean Knowledge, a fertiliser company, in Kilcar.[140] Ocean Knowledge employs him in the role of business development manager.[2] His cousin Eoin also works there.[140] The McHugh cousins often play golf together.[140]

He has supported the English association football club Arsenal since childhood.[2]

## Career statistics

[edit]

As of match played 30 June 2024
Appearances and scores by team, season and competition[a] Team  | Season  | National League | Championship | McKenna Cup | Total

|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | Apps | Score
Donegal | 2013 | Division 1 | 5 | 0–1 | 4 | 0–1 | — | — | 9 | 0–2
2014 | Division 2 | 7 | 0–1 | 6 | 2–3 | — | — | 13 | 2–4
2015 | Division 1 | 8 | 2–1 | 6 | 1–0 | — | — | 14 | 3–1
2016 | 8 | 2–4 | 6 | 1–6 | — | — | 14 | 3–10
2017 | 6 | 1–4 | 5 | 1–0 | — | — | 11 | 2–4
2018 | 5 | 1–5 | 7 | 2–8 | 1 | 1–1 | 13 | 4–14
2019 | Division 2 | 8 | 0–5 | 6 | 0–6 | 2 | 0–1 | 16 | 0–12
2020 | Division 1 | 6 | 0–4 | 3 | 0–3 | 1 | — | 10 | 0–7
2021[citation needed] | Division 1 North |  |  | 3  | 0–4  |  |  | 3  | 0–4
2022[citation needed] | Division 1 |  |  | 4  | 0–2  |  |  | 4  | 0–2
2023[citation needed] | Division 1 |  |  | 0  | 0-00  |  |  |  |
2024[citation needed] | Division 2 |  |  | 7  | 1-10  |  |  |  |
Total  | 53 | 6–25 | 57 | 8–43 | 4 | 1–2 | 107 | 14–60

1. ^ Statistics as far as the 2020 Ulster final compiled by Fr Seán Ó Gallchóir (ahead of McHugh's 100th appearance) and published as follows: "McHugh hits 100 mark for Donegal". Donegal News. 19 November 2020. p. 57. That game (which ended his team's season) and McHugh's point in it have also been included in the table above.[141]

## Honours

[edit]

Donegal

* All-Ireland Senior Football Championship runner-up: 2014
* Ulster Senior Football Championship: 2014,[22] 2018,[75] 2019[95]
* National Football League Division 2: 2019[94]
* Ulster Under-21 Football Championship runner-up: 2013, 2014, 2015
* Ulster MFL Shield: 2011[107]
* All-Ireland Vocational Schools Championship: 2011[107]

Cill Chartha

* Donegal Senior Football Championship: 2017[10]
* Donegal Senior Football League Division 1: 2014,[107] 2016,[107] 2017,[107] 2019[107]
* Donegal Under-21 Football Championship: 2011,[107] 2013,[107] 2015[107]
* Donegal Minor Football Championship: 2012[9] (c.)[8]

Individual

* GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year: 2014[27][84]
* All Star: 2016,[107] 2018[84]
* Nominated in 2014,[142] 2015,[143] 2016,[107] 2018,[107] 2019[144]
* Irish News Player of the Year: 2014[107]
* Irish News Team of the Year: 2014,[107] 2015,[107] 2016,[107] 2018,[107][145] 2019[107]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Two changes for clash with Roscommon". Donegal News. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
2. ^ a b c d Walsh, Harry (18 March 2021). "Donegal playermaker[sic] putting the extra time to good use". Donegal News. p. 14\. "Ryan is business development manager with Ocean Knowledge, a company founded by Kilcar man Declan Gallagher and his wife Kara… 'I'm blessed as a footballer and a person to have a great job at home here in Kilcar'… Another world-renowned playing surface helped by Ocean Knowledge is The Emirates, home to Arsenal FC — a team that Ryan has supported since he was a child… 'Myself and my partner Bridget (Molloy) are in the apartment a lot more now'…" Published on page 14 of that day's print edition with the title "Putting the extra time to good use: Footballer Ryan McHugh on work, home life and dreams".
3. ^ a b c d e f g McLaughlin, Gerry (11 June 2016). "Ryan — a 'chip off the old block'". Retrieved 11 June 2016.
4. ^ a b Walsh, Harry (5 November 2016). "McHugh was in library when heard he had won an All Star". Donegal News. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
5. ^ "The 'Wee Man' was big". Donegal Democrat. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
6. ^ "Donegal's victory poses problem for prospective wife of Mark McHugh". RTÉ Sport. 23 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
7. ^ "McHugh cousins looking forward to minor clash". Donegal Now. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
8. ^ a b McNulty, Chris (3 December 2012). "Minor Cup is 'back down the trough' after Kilcar win". Donegal News. Retrieved 3 December 2012. "Skipper Ryan McHugh said…"
9. ^ a b McNulty, Chris (3 December 2012). "Major show from Eoin McHugh as Kilcar triumph". Donegal News. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
10. ^ a b "End result all that matters for Kilcar after final win over Naomh Conaill". 15 October 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
11. ^ "Ulster U21 Final Live: Donegal 1-06 v Cavan 0-13". Donegal Now. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013. "Ryan McHugh is starting for Donegal, despite picking up a calf injury against Derry."
12. ^ "Ryan McHugh a big doubt for Ulster final". Donegal Democrat. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
13. ^ "Cavan seal a fourth successive Ulster U21 football title as they see off Donegal: The winners finished strongly in tonight's decider at the Athletic Grounds". MSN. 9 April 2014. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
14. ^ Bannon, Orla (8 April 2015). "Tyrone footballers crowned Ulster Under-21 champions". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 5 December 2018.
15. ^ "McGowan and McHugh called up". Donegal Democrat. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
16. ^ McMahon, James (31 January 2013). "Preview: Allianz Football League Division 1". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2013. "McHugh's brother Ryan, an exciting minor from last year, has joined the squad, while Mark McGowan, a member of the St Eunan's team that won last year's county championship, gets a recall having last featured in the senior ranks in 2008."
17. ^ Keys, Colm (30 January 2013). "Ten young guns aiming to fire in the league". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
18. ^ "Donegal 0-12 Down 0-07". RTÉ Sport. 9 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
19. ^ "National Football League: Donegal 0-12 0-7 Down". BBC Sport. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
20. ^ McNulty, Chris (9 February 2012). "Report: Donegal get off and running". Donegal News. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
21. ^ Keys, Colm (24 June 2013). "McGuinness' mean machine finds way to stutter forward". Irish Independent. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
22. ^ a b "Donegal reverse 2013 result to claim Ulster football title". The42.ie. 20 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
23. ^ "Johnny Doyle column: The bookies don't normally get it so wrong — Our columnist holds his hands up and admits he never saw a Donegal win coming and heaps praise on a resurgent Kieran Donaghy". The42.ie. 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2014. "Yesterday we also got a huge performance from Ryan McHugh. There wasn't too much about him coming into the game so I guess it's a bit like Shane O'Donnell last year for Clare. Ryan really used yesterday as a platform to announce himself on the national stage."
24. ^ "Ryan McHugh: We knew we could reach the final". RTÉ Sport. 31 August 2014. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
25. ^ Boyle, Donnchadh (12 September 2014). "Mark McHugh: I don't regret missing Donegal's season". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
26. ^ Breheny, Martin (21 September 2014). "Kerry's final resolve holds as errors undo Donegal". Irish Independent. Retrieved 21 September 2014. "It left Donegal needing a goal to snatch a draw and the chance did arise in the final minute when Michael Murphy… placed McBrearty as he bore down on the Kerry goal. His shot was parried by Kerry goalkeeper Brian Kelly and, as the ball broke loose, Colm McFadden got a hand to it but, to Donegal's despair, it clipped the goalpost."
27. ^ a b "Donegal forward Ryan McHugh wins Young Player award". BBC Sport. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
28. ^ "Gallagher delighted with early statement as McBrearty steps up". Irish Independent. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
29. ^ "14-man Dublin too hot for Donegal to handle". RTÉ Sport. 7 February 2015. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
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31. ^ "Monaghan grind out result in dour encounter". RTÉ Sport. 8 March 2015. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
32. ^ O'Riordan, Ian (15 March 2015). "Kerry hold nerve and Donegal in Tralee spring classic". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
33. ^ Bannon, Orla (29 March 2015). "Donegal make light work of Tyrone". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
34. ^ "Donegal draw with Mayo enough for semi-final place". RTÉ Sport. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
35. ^ "Football League Div 1 semi-final: Cork 4–11 0–19 Donegal". BBC Sport. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
36. ^ Moynihan, Michael (13 April 2015). "Rampant Cork Rebels rock Donegal with goal rush". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
37. ^ Breheny, Martin (19 July 2015). "Monaghan beat Donegal at their own game as Ulster champions dethroned". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
38. ^ Mooney, Francis (17 May 2015). "Donegal edge Tyrone in tough Ulster battle". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
39. ^ Mooney, Francis (14 June 2015). "Donegal progress untested by Armagh". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
40. ^ Mooney, Francis (27 June 2015). "Donegal forced to dig deep for Derry win". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
41. ^ Keane, Paul (1 August 2015). "Round 4B: Brilliant Donegal dismantle Galway". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015. "The key goal came when Murphy brilliantly palmed McFadden's high ball into the path of the onrushing Ryan McHugh, whose crisp finish left Brian O'Donoghue with no chance."
42. ^ Keane, Paul (8 August 2015). "Classy Mayo outgun sluggish Donegal". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
43. ^ Bannon, Orla (30 January 2016). "Disastrous return to Division One for Down as Donegal run riot in Newry". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
44. ^ "Cork crash to 10-point defeat as impressive Donegal go top of Division 1: Goals from Odhrán MacNiallais and Martin O'Reilly spurred Donegal to victory". The42.ie. 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
45. ^ Campbell, Peter (28 February 2016). "Donegal march on beating Mayo". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
46. ^ Leen, Tony (7 March 2016). "Dogged Kerry win arm wrestle". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
47. ^ Campbell, Peter (13 March 2016). "Rossies signal greater intent after win over Donegal". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
48. ^ Keane, Paul (28 March 2016). "Donegal turn blind eye to James McCarthy incident". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
49. ^ Shalvey, Colm (3 April 2016). "Allianz FL D1: Last gasp Monaghan avoid relegation". Retrieved 3 April 2016.
50. ^ "FL1 semi-final: dazzling Dubs demolish disappointing Donegal". Hogan Stand. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
51. ^ Mooney, Francis (17 July 2016). "Late scores help Tyrone to Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
52. ^ Mooney, Francis (12 June 2016). "Odhran Mac Niallais brace powers Donegal into Ulster semi-finals". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
53. ^ Mooney, Francis (25 June 2016). "Monaghan and Donegal draw in Ulster thriller". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
54. ^ "Ulster SFC semi-final replay: Donegal 0–17 Monaghan 2–10". BBC Sport. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
55. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (30 July 2016). "McBrearty inspires Donegal to battling win over Cork and sets up clash with Dublin". The42.ie. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
56. ^ a b "Dublin star says Ryan McHugh is a 'savage player'". 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
57. ^ Crowe, Dermot (7 August 2016). "Stuttering Dubs show their fallibility". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
58. ^ Foley, Alan (5 February 2017). "Geaney at the double as Kerry achieve first opening round league win under Fitzmaurice". The42.ie. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
59. ^ Rooney, Declan (12 February 2017). "Donegal prevail late on against Roscommon". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
60. ^ Foley, Alan (26 February 2017). "Murphy's injury-time free rescues a draw for Donegal as Dublin extend unbeaten run to 32 games". The42.ie. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
61. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (4 March 2017). "Donegal strike early to see off Cavan". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
62. ^ Kelly, Kevin (18 March 2017). "Allianz FL D1: Donegal too good for Tyrone". Retrieved 18 March 2017.
63. ^ Foley, Alan (27 March 2017). "Late escape for Monaghan as Donegal pay penalty". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
64. ^ Foley, Alan (21 May 2017). "Paddy McGrath among the goalscorers as Donegal blitz Antrim to advance in Ulster". The42.ie. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
65. ^ "The pendulum has swung decisively in Tyrone's favour in the battle of Ulster's giants following a runaway win at Clones". Irish Examiner. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
66. ^ Keane, Paul (8 July 2017). "Round 3A Qualifier: Donegal edge thriller". Retrieved 8 July 2017.
67. ^ Small, Daragh (22 July 2017). "Round 4A Qualifier: Impressive Galway advance". Retrieved 22 July 2017.
68. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (28 January 2018). "Casey hits winning point, O'Shea fires 0-7 and 3 red cards shown in Kerry Donegal clash". The42.ie. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
69. ^ Foley, Alan (4 February 2018). "Last-gasp Galway snatch victory in Donegal to make it two from two". The42.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
70. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (10 February 2018). "Dublin survive strong Donegal fightback to make it three wins from three". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
71. ^ Campbell, Peter (25 February 2018). "Donegal scrape by 14-man Kildare in relegation dogfight". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
72. ^ Bogue, Declan (10 March 2018). "Two-goal Tyrone move closer to safety with big win over Donegal in Omagh". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
73. ^ Graham, John (18 March 2018). "Monaghan ease past relegation-threatened Donegal". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
74. ^ Gannon, Colm (25 March 2018). "McLoughlin's stunning 74th minute equaliser sees Mayo survive the drop and Donegal suffer relegation". The42.ie. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
75. ^ a b Mooney, Francis (24 June 2018). "Energetic Donegal end Fermanagh's Ulster title dream". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
76. ^ McNulty, Chris (13 May 2018). "Ulster SFC: Donegal too good for Cavan". Retrieved 13 May 2018.
77. ^ Mooney, Francis (27 May 2018). "McBrearty excels to fire Donegal past Derry". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
78. ^ Mooney, Francis (10 June 2018). "14-man Donegal cruise past Down into Ulster decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
79. ^ a b "Ryan McHugh out for rest of year due to concussion". RTÉ Sport. 26 September 2018. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
80. ^ a b Farrelly, Mark (26 September 2018). "Concussion Ends Ryan McHugh's Season". Balls.ie. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
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82. ^ a b Roche, Frank (26 September 2018). "Ryan McHugh ruled out for remainder of 2018 after suffering second concussion". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
83. ^ McNulty, Chris (26 September 2018). "Breaking: Ryan McHugh ruled out for rest of club championship". Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
84. ^ a b c McNulty, Chris (1 November 2018). "GAA All-Star Award for Donegal ace Ryan McHugh". Retrieved 1 November 2018.
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86. ^ Fogarty, John (1 December 2018). "Ryan McHugh says more education needed on concussion issue". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
87. ^ Lynch, Derrick (27 January 2019). "Missing a host of regulars, Donegal come away from Clare with victory". The42.ie. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
88. ^ Campbell, Peter (2 February 2019). "Fortuitous goal sees Donegal come back to beat Meath". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
89. ^ Fallon, John (10 February 2019). "Casey strikes late goal as Tipp come back to shock Donegal". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
90. ^ Campbell, Peter (24 February 2019). "Fermanagh rally against 13-man Donegal to stay unbeaten in Division 2". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
91. ^ Foley, Alan (2 March 2019). "Super sub Murphy makes decisive impact in narrow win for Donegal". The42.ie. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
92. ^ Hurley, Denis (16 March 2019). "Cork on brink of drop to Division 3 as Donegal power home". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
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94. ^ a b O'Brien, Kevin (30 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass helps Donegal to Division 2 glory after comeback win over Meath". The42.ie. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
95. ^ a b Sweeney, Peter (23 June 2019). "Donegal power past Cavan to claim Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
96. ^ Mooney, Francis (26 May 2019). "Donegal overcome Fermanagh in Ulster arm-wrestle". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
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98. ^ "FL1: Durcan delivers late as Mayo hold Donegal". Hogan Stand. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
99. ^ Keane, Paul (2 February 2020). "Classy Donegal put Meath to the sword at Navan". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
100. ^ McNulty, Chris (9 February 2020). "Allianz FL D1: Galway secure valuable victory". Retrieved 9 February 2020.
101. ^ "Mannion goal crucial as Dubs reel in Donegal". RTÉ Sport. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
102. ^ Foley, Alan (1 March 2020). "McFadden and Ward hit the net as Donegal claim easy victory over Monaghan". The42.ie. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
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104. ^ "Understrength Donegal well beaten by Kerry". Donegal News. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
105. ^ Keys, Colm (1 November 2020). "Donegal in pole-position for Ulster three-in-a-row after dumping Tyrone out of Championship". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
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## External links

[edit]

* Ryan McHugh on Twitter

* v
* t
* e

Cill Chartha – current squad

* E. McGinley
* B. McGinley
* C. McShane
* P. Carr
* A. McClean
* Hegarty
* Shovlin
* C. McGinley
* M. McHugh
* E. McHugh
* S. McBrearty
* M. McClean
* C. Doherty
* B. O'Donnell
* O. Doogan
* A. McGinley
* D. O'Donnell
* Sweeney
* P. McBrearty
* A. Carr
* Molloy
* Pad. McShane
* Lyons
* B. McGinley
* D. McGinley
* R. O'Donnell
* R. McHugh
* A. McShane
* E. McGinley
* Byrne
* Pau. McShane
* Garvey
* K. Doogan

Manager
B. Doherty

* v
* t
* e

Donegal football team – current senior panel

* 1 S. Patton

* 4 E. B. Gallagher
* 3 B. McCole
* 7 P. Mogan

* 5 R. McHugh
* 6 C. McGonagle
* 17 C. McColgan

* 22 J. McGee
* 9 M. Langan

* 11 S. O'Donnell
* 8 C. Thompson
* 2 C. Moore

* 13 P. McBrearty (c.)
* 14 O. Gallen
* 25 A. Doherty

* * *

Subs
12 D. Ó Baoill for McColgan
10 J. Mac Ceallabhuí for Gallagher
15 N. O'Donnell for McBrearty
23 H. McFadden for McGee
19 O. Doherty for A. Doherty

* * *

Subs not used
16 G. Mulreany
18 S. McMenamin
20 L. McGlynn
21 M. Curran
24 J. Brennan
26 C. McGuinness

* * *

Manager
J. McGuinness

Selectors
C. McFadden
N. McGee
L. Barrett

Above is the starting lineup vs Galway on 14 July 2024

* v
* t
* e

Donegal – 2014 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship runners-up

* 1 P. Durcan
* 2 E. McGee
* 3 N. McGee
* 4 P. McGrath
* 5 A. Thompson
* 6 K. Lacey
* 7 F. McGlynn
* 8 N. Gallagher
* 9 O. Mac Niallais
* 26 R. Kavanagh
* 11 L. McLoone
* 12 R. McHugh
* 17 D. O'Connor
* 14 M. Murphy (c)
* 15 C. McFadden

Subs used
10 C. Toye for O'Connor
13 P. McBrearty for McHugh
24 M. McElhinney for Mac Niallais
18 Dav. Walsh for McLoone
20 D. Molloy for Kavanagh

Subs not used
16 M. Boyle
19 Dec. Walsh
21 H. McFadden
22 L. Thompson
23 L. Keaney
25 M. O'Reilly

Manager
J. McGuinness

Selectors
D. Diver
J. Duffy
P. McGonigle

* v
* t
* e

Cill Chartha – 2017 Donegal Senior Football Champions (6th title)

* 1 E. McGinley
* 2 B. McGinley
* 3 C. McShane
* 4 P. Carr
* 5 R. McHugh
* 6 M. Hegarty
* 7 B. Shovlin
* 8 C. McGinley
* 9 M. McHugh
* 10 A. McClean
* 11 C. Doherty
* 12 M. McClean
* 13 S. McBrearty
* 14 E. McHugh
* 15 P. McBrearty (c)

Subs used
M. Sweeney for A. McClean (50')
S. Shovlin for Doherty (57')
A. Carr for M. McClean (60')

Manager
B. Doherty

Awards

* v
* t
* e

GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year

* 1997: M. F. Russell
* 1998: M. Donnellan
* 1999: P. Clifford
* 2000: J. Bergin
* 2001: C. McAnallen
* 2002: R. Clarke
* 2003: S. Cavanagh
* 2004: N. Tinney
* 2005: A. Kernan
* 2006: K. Higgins
* 2007: K. Young
* 2008: T. Walsh
* 2009: M. Murphy
* 2010: A. Walsh
* 2011: C. O'Connor
* 2012: C. O'Connor
* 2013: J. McCaffrey
* 2014: R. McHugh
* 2015: D. O'Connor
* 2016: D. O'Connor
* 2017: C. O'Callaghan
* 2018: D. Clifford
* 2019: S. O'Shea
* 2020: O. Mullin
* 2021: O. Mullin
* 2022: J. Glynn
* 2023: E. Doherty

* v
* t
* e

2016 All Star Gaelic Football Team

* 1 D. Clarke
* 2 B. Harrison
* 3 J. Cooper
* 4 P. McMahon
* 5 L. KeeganFOTY
* 6 C. Boyle
* 7 R. McHugh
* 8 B. Fenton
* 9 M. Donnelly
* 10 P. Harte
* 11 D. Connolly
* 12 C. Kilkenny
* 13 D. Rock
* 14 M. Quinlivan
* 15 P. Geaney

* v
* t
* e

2018 All Star Gaelic Football Team

* 1 R. Beggan
* 2 J. Cooper
* 3 C. Cavanagh
* 4 P. Hampsey
* 5 K. O'Connell
* 6 J. McCarthy
* 7 J. McCaffrey
* 8 B. FentonFOTY
* 9 B. Howard
* 10 P. Mannion
* 11 C. Kilkenny
* 12 R. McHugh
* 13 D. Clifford
* 14 C. McManus
* 15 I. Burke

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template