An Interview with Kevin McHugh

As one of Donegal’s most celebrated sporting figures, Kevin McHugh has been a prolific goalscorer throughout his football career. In a recent interview with ExtraTime.ie, Kevin recalls his on-field highs and lows.  

Charlie McGeever handed McHugh his Finn Harps debut during a 1998 League Cup fixture against Fanad United – the then 18-year old scoring as a second-half substitute: “I was nervous. These were players I would have watched and now I’m beside them in the dressing room, but once you cross the white line, the nerves go.”

Whilst still developing amongst Harps’ talented squad, the young forward took no part in the following year’s three-part FAI Cup Final matches with Bray Wanderers, but learned a valuable lesson from the eventual defeat: “I didn’t play, but just to be involved with the club was huge. If you lose a cup final it gives you hunger, but I didn’t win one until 2006 with Derry.”

Kevin was loaned out to Omagh Town in 2000 and despite going on to forge a career as a persistent League of Ireland marksman – it’s surprising to hear that he wasn’t so self-assured from the outset: “It wasn’t exactly a confidence thing, but not knowing what level you’re supposed to be at. Aspiring towards a higher standard, you don’t know if you’re good enough until the chance comes and have to drive yourself.”          

The Donegal native found the net four times versus Longford Town in the 2002 promotion play-off at Finn Park, but still ended up on the defeated side in heartbreaking circumstances: “To score a hat-trick and in the shoot-out, but then lose was surreal. In a couple of minutes we gave away a penalty and were then beaten on spot-kicks.”

Two years later, McHugh and Harps did achieve promotion, when he scored a brace at home to Dundalk, securing the First Division title: “It was a jam-packed Finn Park. We were mad keen to win the league and that’s what we did. To score twice was the icing on the cake.”

Also that season, the prolific striker collected his second First Division Player of the Year award, but 2005’s return to the top flight proved a difficult one, regardless of Kevin’s impressive 13 league goals: “It’s a tough division. You have two or three teams looking to win it, four or five are fighting for Europe and the rest trying to stay up. Back then we were aiming to finish in the top half, but needed grounding.”

As a proven goalscorer, McHugh was in demand and 2006 saw him sign for Finn Harps’ closest rivals Derry City. An initial challenging start with the Candystripes ensued, but undeterred by playing out of position on the right-wing, an industrious nature eventually earned him a place in the Brandywell faithful’s hearts.

“There was a lot going on at the time … Moving home and jobs, getting married and having children. It was difficult winning over the Derry fans, but I kept my head down and worked hard.”

Kevin’s maiden season with the Foylesiders culminated in glory, as Derry overcame St Patrick’s Athletic 4-3 (AET) in a thrilling FAI Cup Final – the last soccer match to be played at the old Lansdowne Road: “Seven or eight minutes left, we thought we were out, but to equalise and then the winner … It was a crazy game to be involved in.”

Besides an FAI Cup winner’s medal, McHugh also accomplished three successive League Cup triumphs with Derry. He gives his opinion on why the Candystripes were so adept in domestic knock-out deciders during his stint with the club.

“In all the cups, with the Derry fans, there’s a buzz around the place. It comes from doing well in previous competitions and Europe too.”

Kevin penned a two-and-a-half-year contract with Linfield in 2009, but a lengthy hamstring injury at the beginning of his second season, added to other factors, brought about a sought-after escape to Donegal: “Travelling to Belfast a few times a week, four hours a day in the car was a big commitment and tough. When Finn Harps wanted me back, it was a no-brainer. I couldn’t say one bad thing about Linfield. It was the right club, but wrong timing for me, what with two youngsters and a full-time job.”

2012 was McHugh’s testimonial year with Finn Harps and in a novel twist, the League of Ireland club faced Donegal’s Gaelic footballers, with a half each contested in both codes: “I got in touch with Jim McGuinness before they reached the All-Ireland and they agreed to play. When they won that, they were getting loads of offers, but still kept their word. Most of their lads played soccer before and were comfortable … It was something different for the Donegal public.”

After an injury-hit 2014, the veteran striker announced the following season would be his last before retiring. However, when Harps attained Premier Division football via the play-offs, was the lure of one more crack at the highest level too much to resist?

“I decided that that if we got promoted, I’d stick around. Players hate travelling long distances, but I love the banter ... I’ll be a long time retired.”

With over 400 Finn Harps appearances and second-highest scorer to Brendan Bradley, what do these milestones mean to the 36-year old? “Early on, I would have been looking at records … Using them as a motivational tool and pushing myself. In recent seasons, I’ve taken a different view.”

In addition to managing his county’s U-13 schoolboys, Kevin also founded the Donegal Soccer Academy. To conclude, he explains what convinced him to get involved in the coaching of local youngsters.

“I just wanted them to learn the basics and do them right with qualified coaches. There wasn’t anything similar around, so I started one myself. Lots of kids come to us and we sharpen their skills.”