Football

Mark McHugh return a huge boost for Donegal

The return of Mark McHugh has boosted Donegal's options ahead of their league clash against a rejuvated Cork side
The return of Mark McHugh has boosted Donegal's options ahead of their league clash against a rejuvated Cork side The return of Mark McHugh has boosted Donegal's options ahead of their league clash against a rejuvated Cork side

Division One Donegal v Cork (tomorrow, Ballyshannon, 2pm)

HE is back and buzzing. Mercurial Mark McHugh’s return to the Donegal squad earlier this week, has given team boss Rory Gallagher a valuable other option as Tir Chonaill take on Cork in a difficult assignment in Ballyshannon, tomorrow.

McHugh was the oil in the engine when Donegal won the All-Ireland title back in 2012, the quarter-back who ran the lines and made the runs.

He won an Allstar that year but his form in the interim has been relatively patchy as he left the squad to go travelling in 2014 and his last competitive match was against Mayo in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final in Croke Park last year.

And a series of niggly injuries did not help the Kilcar man who, when fully fit, has the stamina of a Masai warrior.

Donegal manager Rory Gallagher yesterday said the return of McHugh was “great news” for Donegal.

“Mark was unlucky as he had a number of niggling injuries so we sent him on an individual training programme in the gym,’’ he said.

“Thankfully he came back to full training with the squad on Tuesday evening and he is very pleased to be back.

“He gives us extra options in defence and attack and will benefit from a few extra sessions.’’

But, it looks like Donegal will need to have a very full squad for the considerable challenge of Peadar Healy’s rejuvenated Cork side that impressively filleted a somewhat tepid Mayo side last week.

The relatively narrow confines of Father Tierney Park Ballyshannon has proved to be a bit of a fortress for Donegal and their recent record against Cork is very good at the south Donegal venue.

Donegal had an easy victory over a somewhat decimated Down side that are in a period of transition.

“It was good to get the season off to a winning start but we are not setting too much store by it as Down have a lost quite a few household names and are clearly in a period of change,” added Gallagher.


Gallagher admitted that a chirpy Cork side would present a much tougher prospect in Ballyshannon tomorrow.

“I watched a recording of their win over Mayo and was very impressed.

“They looked very sharp and focused and have a new manager which gives them a considerable impetus.

“Cork don’t have a great record against us in Ballyshannon and we did manage a narrow win over them last year, but that is something they will be very keen to put right, so they won’t lack motivation.

“And they are mixing up their game very well combining short passing with some good long ball into a very big full-forward called Kelleher.

“Another plus is that Paul Kerrigan is really flying on the 40. He has serious pace and can open up defences very quickly.

“It is important to remember that Cork should have beaten Kerry in the drawn Munster final so they have real potential to develop.

“They are also pretty sharp up front with Daniel Goulding and co well capable of punishing any errors”.

In contrast, Gallagher’s U21 stars Ciaran Thompson, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Ciaran Gillespie, Jack O’Brien and Michael Carroll have been making a real impression.

“Jack O’Brien and Ciaran Gillespie have some little niggles but we are not too bad otherwise,” he said.

But arguably, the best possible news for Gallagher was the outstanding display of team captain Michael Murphy in that most facile of victories over Down.

Murphy nailed 0-8 including a real gem from the sideline on the 14-metre line.

“Like a lot of our lads, Michael is gradually coming back to fitness,’’ stated Gallagher.

“We did not rush him and he is such a great competitor and leader.”

But, if Murphy plays in his best position at full-forward, then he could be in direct competition with another formidable giant Eoin Cadogan.

The dual star is truly a rock on the edge of the square, a ferocious and more mobile version of former Meath full-back Mick Lyons.

This tie has all the ingredients for a cracker. Cork attack with power and pace while Donegal can counter like a piranha on the break. Both sides will be very keen to go into the break with full points.

But, if Donegal can afford to leave Michael Murphy on the edge of the square for a considerable period, then they could create the necessary chances to ensure that Ballyshannon remains a real fortress.

It may be a bit too early for Mark McHugh, but with the likes of Christy Toye, Rory Kavanagh, Neil Gallagher and Eamon McGee hovering with intent, then Donegal look to have the necessary clout in depth to prevail, by a narrow margin.