24-05-2025
Eoin McHugh cherishes Donegal return as Ulster glory makes couch comeback all the sweeter
EOIN MCHUGH went from couch to Ulster champion again with Donegal.
McHugh, 31, made his SFC debut for
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Peadar Mogan and Eoin McHugh of Donegal with the Anglo-Celt Cup after the Ulster final win over Armagh
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McHugh is relishing his return to the fold ahead of clash vs Tyrone
He looked on from the sofa when
McHugh was vital when they retained their crown against the Orchard a fortnight ago when he replaced Ciarán Moore after 55 minutes.
His fresh legs were crucial coming down the stretch as they held on to win 2-23 to 0-28, as Moore returned to score their second goal in extra-time.
McHugh is relishing his return to the fold ahead of Tyrone's round 1 group stage visit to Ballybofey tonight.
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Speaking after their
'To be honest I can't watch games, I struggle on the bench watching games, I'd rather be on (the pitch) or just not at it.
'Myself and the girlfriend sat last year and watched it, and you know, what the boys did last year was amazing and I'm just delighted that I'm back here and be a part of it.
'I don't know how to put it into words, it's something so special, I think the older you get the more special it gets and the more emotional you feel about things like this.
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'I'm walking into the dressing room here with my friends and people who've done so well for the county and I'm just delighted to be here.'
McHugh is on the bench for the visit of their neighbours, and McGuinness has kept faith with the same team that began against Armagh.
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But their squad depth is growing all the time, as Eoghan Bán Gallagher (hamstring) returns to the panel for the first time in the championship today.
Stopper Shaun Patton has recovered from an ankle injury to start against the Red Hands.
And McHugh says days like a fortnight ago are why he came back as they gear up for the All-Ireland series.
He said: 'You always dream of winning Ulster and you know I'm lucky enough to have won it before. But there's something special about it and it doesn't lose the buzz or the rush.
'This is why I'm here, this is why I came back and I'm blessed to be allowed to be back and to get the opportunity and I'll not forget that.'
DONEGAL (SFC v Tyrone): S Patton; F Roarty, B McCole, P Mogan; R McHugh, C McGonagle, C Moore; H McFadden, M Langan; D Ó Baoill, C Thompson, S O'Donnell; P McBrearty, M Murphy, O Gallen.
TYRONE (SFC v Donegal): N Morgan; A Clarke, P Teague, N Devlin; M McKernan, R Brennan, K McGeary; B Kennedy, C Kilpatrick; A Donaghy, M Donnelly, C Daly; D McCurry, P Harte, D Canavan.
