MARK MCHUGH’S SHOCK exit from the Donegal panel was last night confirmed by Donegal selector Damien Diver, who revealed the player ‘needed a bit of time out’.
Four players have departed the Donegal panel in the aftermath of last Sunday’s league final loss to Monaghan and the development has rocked their preparations ahead of their Ulster championship opener against Derry on May 25th.
McHugh is the most high-profile loss and the departure of the 2012 Allstar is a major setback to the Donegal squad.
“You don’t want to be losing players,” admitted Diver. “I know he had bother with injuries and his form was a bit indifferent. I suppose he felt that he needed a bit of time out.
“Maybe he just was not enjoying it at the moment between injuries and that kind of thing. I just think he missed the Armagh game because he pulled the hamstring on Tuesday night and that was it He missed just 20 minutes of the last game because he came on after 20 minutes of the final.”
When pressed on whether McHugh had been dropped from the squad or departed on his own terms, Diver stated, ‘I would not be privy to that kind of information at all’.
But Diver did outline that there could be a chance for McHugh to return to the fold.
“I would say no more than any other player in the county, the door is always open.”
Thomas McKinley, Gary McFadden and Anton McFadden are also understood to have departed the Donegal panel.
Looks like some commentators were right when they said that they couldn’t sustain the level of training and commitment it had taken to win an All Ireland.
I’d say with the talent and experience of winning an All-Ireland they’re in a better position to achieve it again than most.
Can’t see past Dublin though. Different animal than the one defending in 2012
At least he can play a few club games and get his form back
Where is he going to play them ???
There’s a serious problem in the Donegal camp. We are not being made privy to what is really going on. There’s more to come….
Now the mighty have fallen what’s the mighty Jim going to do now is is a one hit wonder loosing players just before the championship. All the Donegal fans will go back into hiding for another 20 years lol
We follow our county even when we’re not playing in our back garden, more than can be said for the oh so loyal Dublin fans
simple …Kevin Cassidy (unfortunately) …Gone … 2012 All Ireland winners
Grow up.
Dublin fans have bank rolled the GAA for years
So the media hype over this as usual is just rubbish. Seems natural he’d want a break – they’re not professionals.
The depth of panel in Donegal has led to this though – not some bust up that was alluded to in some quarters.
Media hype? How often have Cooper and Cluxton walked away from the county jersey?? McHugh is a key man in the McGuinness system which won an All Ireland, and with the trainwreck you have in your club game Donegal is in serious bother unless something drastic is done. Dunno about you but if I was a Donegal man reading this I’d be seriously worried about the immediate future of the game there!
The club scene is no different than any other county, it just gets over hyped because Jim is involved in the narrative. And why compare him to Cluxton or Cooper, that’s just not a like for like comparison. Those two are mature players, with decent jobs who are looked after very well financially.
Totally Mark – I’ve said it before – the GAA need to get s unified structure. Ok for some counties to put a halt to their club matches until the county team is knocked out and for some provinces to have seeding – but Donegal suspends club matches for a few weeks and it’s back page news. Media needs to get a grip.
Hes going to be heading stateside and get paid to play for the summer… how much is an allstar worth thats the real question
I feel like crying, with joy.
What a classy and mature response.
and your always one of the first to cry about anti dublin sentiment