The Battle of the Hills

In what promises to be a memorable encounter, Finn Harps will welcome the Donegal Senior Gaelic Football team to Finn Park for ‘The Battle of the Hills’ on 23 November.

The game, which is part of Harps’ striker Kevin McHugh’s testimonial programme, will see Peter Hutton’s side go head to head with Jim McGuinness’ All-Ireland Champions in a ‘dual’ game. The match will see one half of soccer and the other of Gaelic football, and the proceeds from the game will be divided between the Donegal Team’s training fund and McHugh himself.

The match is expected to see former Harps players, including Derry City’s Stephen McLaughlin, and  Harps greats, such as Shane Bradley, take to the field, honouring their former team-mate.

Speaking on the announcement of the event, McHugh expressed his delight at being able to welcome the present All-Ireland champions to Finn Park for the match.

“I suppose it’s not a bad time to be playing in my first Gaelic football match – against the All-Ireland champions. The Donegal boys had an unreal year. The joy they brought to the county was something else and you had to admire the level of preparation and professionalism they had.

“I’m delighted that the boys from the Donegal team have got in behind this occasion. It should be a great night and it’ll be a bit of craic for sure. Hopefully a big crowd will turn out because it’s a novel event.”

McHugh has scored a total of 161 goals in all competitions for Finn Harps in 334 appearances. He has scored 142 League goals and is second only to the great Brendan Bradley (241) in terms of Harps top goal-scorers. McHugh has scored 155 League goals in total, 13 of which were for Derry City, which leaves him in ninth position in the all-time League of Ireland list, and he is just seven goals away from a place in the top five.

The event is part of his testimonial programme, which has also included a golf outing and a dinner, due to take place the night after ‘The Battle of the Hills’, (24 November) in the Radisson Hotel, Letterkenny.

“I’m very grateful to Finn Harps FC for granting me a testimonial this year. I have spent my most enjoyable years in football at Harps and had some absolutely wonderful nights playing with the club.

“I’ve played with some fantastic players over the years. The club have been very generous in giving me a testimonial.”

There will be several talented soccer players in the Donegal squad, with Paddy McBrearty, Michael Boyle, Paul Durcan and Frank McGlynn all having spent time at Finn Park.

Donegal captain Michael Murphy is also looking forward to occasion, honouring one of Donegal’s all-time greats.

“It’s a fantastic occasion for Kevin. Kevin has been a fantastic servant to Finn Harps down the years and a fantastic servant to soccer in Donegal, too. Whenever you’ve heard about Finn Harps over the last ten years and more, Kevin McHugh’s is always the name you associate with them.  You just can’t underestimate what Kevin has been achieving and his record as a goal-scorer is phenomenal.”

Tickets for the game go on sale this Friday, November 16th: Adult terrace tickets – €10; Children’s terrace tickets – €5, with ticket outlet information on the Finn Harps website.