Latest news with #McHugh
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
McHugh eager to make his own history for Donegal
Ryan McHugh says emulating his successful family members is not a primary motivation for this weekend's All-Ireland football final against Kerry. McHugh's dad, Martin, and uncle, James, were key figures in Donegal's maiden All-Ireland win in 1992, while older brother Mark played when Sam Maguire returned to the hills in 2012. Ryan joined Mark on the team that reached the 2014 final against Kerry but fell short and, although his older brother has progressed on to coaching, the younger of the Kilcar brothers is still a mainstay in the green and gold. Although he would dearly love to get his own Celtic Cross this weekend, his desire to succeed is fuelled by a motivation to reach the top and banish the memories of the disappointing days since. "I haven't got one yet, but it's nothing I think of," the 31-year-old told BBC Sport NI. "Mark and dad had phenomenal careers for Donegal. Would I love an All-Ireland medal? Of course I would. It's over to me now to do that, but it's not something I think of that I have to get one because they did. "I'm blessed to have been born at a time where Donegal have been in All-Ireland finals. As a supporter in 2012 and with Mark playing, it was unbelievable for the family. "Then in '14 with myself involved, it was massive for the family and for Donegal. It was disappointing in '14, but hopefully we can put that right this time." McHugh was just 20 when he lined out against The Kingdom in that 2014 defeat and with it being Donegal's second final in three years, he could have been forgiven they would be there or thereabouts in the years to come. Sport doesn't work out that way and although there were Ulster title wins in 2018 and 2019, they just couldn't make the big breakthrough. The return of Jim McGuinness as manager last year and Michael Murphy's decision to reverse his retirement have injected fresh impetus in Donegal football and with the county riding high again, McHugh is hopeful they can take the final step on Sunday. "As a kid, you think you're going to maybe not make a final, but semi-finals and quarter-finals every couple of years," he said. "It didn't work out that way for different reasons, but since Jim's back involved, we've been competing again, got to a semi-final last year and thankfully gone one better this year. It will mean nothing if we don't get over the line. "There's no guarantee in life you're going to win anything, but when Jim's involved, there's a good chance you're going to compete for the top prizes."
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
GAA star hails ‘best player ever' David Clifford and ‘not surprised by phenomenal' Michael Murphy's impact on Donegal
MICHAEL MURPHY'S seamless transition back into inter-county football has come as no surprise to Ryan McHugh. But when it comes to the only man available at shorter odds than Murphy to claim the Footballer of the Year award, Advertisement 3 Ryan McHugh believes David Clifford is the greatest player of all time Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile 3 And he praised Michael Murphy's impact since returning to Donegal Credit: Ray McManus/Sportsfile The superb form of As for Donegal, Sunday's decider will be their first since the three-point defeat to the Munster kingpins in 2014. But veteran wing-back McHugh said: 'It'll mean nothing if we can't get over the line. 'Kerry are a top, top team with top, top players and arguably, in my opinion anyway, the best player to play the game. Advertisement Read More on GAA 'It'll be massive but we're relishing it. This is where you want to be as a player — getting ready for an All-Ireland final. I've been fortunate enough to be in one before in 2014 and now we have another opportunity.' Having suffered a semi-final loss to The three-time All-Star forward, who turns 36 next month, has looked as sharp as ever since reversing his decision to retire two years ago. And McHugh, 31, said: 'It hasn't surprised me. There isn't a lot more that you can say about Michael. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football 'He's a phenomenal footballer, but it's the way he lives his life outside of football . 'He lives like a professional person and the way he conducts himself, he's a real role model and an unbelievable ambassador for our county. 'For him to come back in the shape he was in didn't surprise me. 'I knew he would keep himself in good shape and we saw him in the club championship . There are no words. Advertisement 'People from all over Ireland are starting to get it now. He's a phenomenal person and a phenomenal leader and a phenomenal footballer.' McHugh has also been impressed by 19-year-old rookie defender Finnbarr Roarty, who was man of the match in the semi-final mauling of Meath. He said: 'Finnbarr doesn't need anyone's help. We're there if he needs a helping hand. He's a great lad. Advertisement 'All the lads coming in have been great, all the energy , drive and passion they bring to training. We're learning off them, the way they interact and carry themselves around.' 3 David Clifford of Kerry celebrates after scoring his side's first goal past Tyrone Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ryan McHugh hoping Donegal odyssey leads to promised land
Whatever the outcome of Donegal's season after Sunday's All-Ireland final against Kerry, the Tír Chonaill men have certainly been on a journey in 2025. Their 11-game odyssey has sparked comparisons with Ulster rivals Tyrone who lifted the Sam Maguire in 2005 after 10 games in a pre round-robin world with replays required against Cavan, Armagh and Dublin. No replays for Jim McGuinness' side this year, but being pitted in Ulster's preliminary round and failing to top their All-Ireland group has added lines to the fixture book, and they've overcome all challenges faced since their Tyrone defeat. Marauding wing-back Ryan McHugh's 2025 expedition has had some different twists and turns in recent weeks, with the player becoming a father after his wife, Bridget, gave birth to son Senán in the hours after their preliminary quarter-final win over Louth. With the new arrival – potentially a future footballing addition to the famed McHugh family name – settled, the Kilcar player's eyes are very much focused on reaching the promised land after such a trek. "Time will tell, if we win it's an advantage, if we lose it's a disadvantage – that's normally the way it goes," he told RTÉ Sport of those long run of games. "We can't control the systems or we can't control the draws, so we just have to take it on the chin. "We got drawn in the preliminary round of Ulster this year (v Derry) so that obviously added on an extra match and not topping the group added on an extra match. "It is what it is and thankfully we came through it all and came through it all with a clean bill of health going into the final, which is massive as well." There's been an air of expectancy hanging around this Donegal team all season, a desire to make up for the pain of last year's semi-final loss to Galway. It's hard not to imagine that McHugh has some extra motivation too. Donegal's two All-Ireland successes have had had McHughs in the half-forward line – his father Martin in the centre in 1992 and older brother Mark on the right in 2012, the same position his uncle James had taken up 20 years previously. For Ryan McHugh, his timing has just been out, so far anyway. His first Donegal senior appearance came in a league match five months after that 2012 All-Ireland triumph. That came just a matter of weeks after he had starred as Kilcar shocked St Eunan's in a Donegal minor final, the same week that current boss McGuinness rocked up at Celtic for his new role as a performance consultant at Lennoxtown. McGuinness was still in the saddle by the time McHugh got to experience All-Ireland final day in 2014, but it would be a day to forget for the now 31-year-old as Kerry triumphed and Kieran Donaghy asked then RTÉ pundit Joe Brolly a now famed question live on air. Now, 11 years on, and after a year's hiatus in 2023 before McGuinness' sensational return at the start of the next season, Kerry again stand between McHugh and joining his family tree of Celtic Crosses. "We like to think there is," was his response when asked was there more to come from the side despite their semi-final destruction of Meath. "But it's a matter of getting that out. We challenge ourselves and push ourselves to get that out every single day so no better time to do it than in the pinnacle of our sport on All-Ireland final day. "Kerry will be looking to do the exact same thing but we just hope we can get there first. "As a kid growing up it's what you dream of. "I've been fortunate enough to be going to matches with my father growing up and then to play for my club Kilcar and to get the opportunity to represent my county is a massive honour. "To represent them in an All-Ireland final is a huge, huge honour – it's what you dream of and it's what you want." If Donegal and McHugh get what they want, then the journey there will have been worth every step.
The Journal
7 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Over 250 unsafe baby carriers, slings, and walkers removed from sale over non-compliance
LAST UPDATE | 36 mins ago OVER 250 BABY products, including baby carriers and slings, have been removed from online marketplaces such as Amazon and Shein following a Europe-wide operation involving Irish consumer protection officials. The authorities, including Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), examined some 1,741 listings as part of a major sweep of baby products for sale on online marketplaces. Authorities went on to send 252 takedown orders to providers of online marketplaces regarding dangerous products offered on their interfaces. The sweep followed the introduction of new product safety legislation in December 2024. Officers analysed the listings for compliance with minimum product safety information rules, which require clear details of the manufacturer and EU responsible person to be displayed. The CCPC said this information is 'crucial for the protection of babies and children from dangerous or faulty products'. Following the sweeps conducted in April and May of this year, 252 takedown orders were sent to the online marketplaces, regarding listings that failed to meet minimum safety and compliance information requirements or featured products that had already been recalled from the market. Advertisement Safety officers from Ireland's CCPC issued 72 of the EU's 252 takedown orders, which targeted baby carriers, slings, and baby walkers. All 72 listings were removed at the CCPC's request from sites including Amazon, Shein, Etsy, eBay, Fruugo and Joom. Of the 252 takedown orders, 155 related to 'very large online platforms' such as Aliexpress, Amazon, Shein, Temu and Zalando. The remaining 97 were sent to other, smaller platforms. Brian McHugh, chair of the CCPC, noted that many parents turn to online marketplaces for convenience when buying baby products and added that they 'deserve to know that those products are safe'. He said the CCPC's product safety officers issue recalls for tens of thousands of items every year and that traceability is 'critically important'. 'Online marketplaces have a duty to be transparent about what they're selling and provide contact details in the event a product is unsafe,' said McHugh. He added that the online marketplaces 'co-operated when we contacted them' and that the 'listings were taken down promptly'. 'The work of our officers, in collaboration with colleagues across the EU, has stopped hundreds of potentially unsafe products being offered for sale to Irish consumers,' said McHugh. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
16-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Country star Lisa McHugh opens up about ‘very difficult' weeks after receiving medical diagnosis
The Glasgow-born singer — who lives in Fermanagh with her family — announced she has Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). She revealed she has had to undergo a series of tests over recent weeks while in hospital. In addition to FND, McHugh explained she was also diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, a chronic pain condition which affects the face. It comes in short and unpredictable attacks, lasting anywhere from a few seconds to two minutes. Along with the announcement today, the singer also uploaded a video showing her struggles with the condition, such as her difficulty waking and moving her legs. 'After what has been an incredibly scary and very difficult couple of weeks in hospital having multiple CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, blood tests, lumbar punctures and every kind of test you could imagine, I have just been diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND),' McHugh (36) explained online 'As well as Trigeminal Neuralgia that I was diagnosed with earlier this year. 'FND is a condition that affects the way the brain and nervous system work, leading to a range of neurological symptoms such as limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, spasms, sensory issues, cognitive problems and more. 'The specific cause for FND is unknown but one of the main triggers is stress, trauma and anxiety. 'And while there is no cure, it is treatable providing you adapt your life as much as possible to manage it.' McHugh was born in Glasgow to Irish parents from Castlederg, Co Tyrone, and now lives in Co Fermanagh with her family, including two young children Milo and Hallie. The mum-of-two had previously opened up about her daughter's ill health after being born last July. At the time the singer explained how her baby daughter spent 10 "horrendous" days in hospital after contracting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content 'I guess the stress and trauma of this last year and everything we've went through has finally caught up with me and my body and it's now decided to make me physically stop, process and heal from everything properly,' she added in the post. 'So that's my plan, as you can see, I've a good bit to go on the healing front, going from walking in to hospital with a very bad headache & severe facial pain, to losing function in both legs and then trying to walk again using a zimmer frame. 'It's quite a lot to wrap your head around. So, I need to drastically adapt things in my life right now and for the future to reduce the severity of the symptoms in any future flare ups. 'But rest assured, I will be cared for like a queen every single day until I fully recover from this episode. 'A special mention of thanks must go out to all of the doctors, specialists, nurses and staff of the South West Acute Hospital. 'The care and first-class treatment I've had since I arrived has been absolutely amazing and I am so thankful to all of you. 'With all of that said, I'm going to sign off and take time out from everything for a while to concentrate on recovering fully. 'In the meantime, I'd really appreciate all of your prayers and I'll soak up this time with my beautiful family and be grateful for every day sending you all lots of love, I'll be back soon.' McHugh was inundated with support by friends and fans online after opening up about her ordeal. One friend wrote online: 'Sending so much love Lisa praying for a speedy recovery.' Another added: 'Oh Lisa my heart goes out to you. Sending you so much love.'
