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McHugh in happier days with Donegal. Morgan Treacy/INPHO

'If you're not enjoying something, why do it?' - Mark McHugh on his Donegal exit

The All-Star insists there was no falling out.

MARK MCHUGH HAS spoken for the first time about his exit from the Donegal panel just weeks before the start of their Ulster Championship campaign.

McHugh joined three other members of Jim McGuinness’ panel - Thomas McKinley, Gary McFadden and Anton McFadden – in removing their names from consideration for this year’s campaign with many speculating there had been a falling out between the one-time All-Star and the Donegal manager.

However, on Newstalk’s Off The Ball show this evening, McHugh denied falling out with anyone insisting instead he fell out of love with the game.

“It wasn’t a decision I made overnight. If I felt myself that I wasn’t a benefit to the Donegal team or I wasn’t enjoying life or my football, there was just no point me being there.

“I still love Donegal. I’ll go up and support them against Derry next week.

“It’s not that I’ve fallen out with anybody. I just made a decision on my own behalf, talked to people that I trust and I made the decision

“It’s nothing about hunger, just taking a wee break,” said McHugh, who will look at the situation again next season.

The 23-year old likened his stance to someone unhappy in their job.

“ I wasn’t enjoying what I was doing, travelling and stuff like that and different areas. If you’re not enjoying your work, you still do it because you get paid at the end of the week for it.

“Unfortunately the GAA isn’t like that at the moment. If you’re not enjoying something, why do it?”

You can listen to McHugh on Off The Ball here.

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9 Comments
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    Mute Patrick Cormack
    Favourite Patrick Cormack
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    May 16th 2014, 10:07 PM

    Fair play to him, if you re not enjoying it you may as well take some time out, the commitment is so great for inter county players who are in the prime of their life. You only get one spin of the wheel.

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    Mute Cathal Kelly
    Favourite Cathal Kelly
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    May 16th 2014, 9:53 PM

    Wanted to be on the beer too much!

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    May 16th 2014, 11:44 PM

    If so – no room for that I’m donegal panel.

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    Mute Cathal Kelly
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    May 16th 2014, 11:52 PM

    It’s what I’ve heard anyway, he left because he couldn’t do both

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    Mute Shaun Sweeney
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    May 17th 2014, 7:30 AM

    i salute you cathal,that second comment is one of the stupidest i’ve ever read on social media

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    Mute Cathal Kelly
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    May 17th 2014, 5:09 PM

    Thanks man, means a lot! I’d like to thank my mum, dad and most of the teachers that got me to this point :)

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    Mute William Coleman
    Favourite William Coleman
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    May 16th 2014, 10:28 PM

    Wouldn’t blame him, must b sick of bursting his hole covering every blade of grass in every game he plays. Must take a huge amount out of him

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    Mute Gerard Gilroy
    Favourite Gerard Gilroy
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    May 17th 2014, 5:52 AM

    Not enjoying = burn out. Overtraining in order to achieve a means short term at the expense of what what was supposed to be something enjoyable long term. Wakey wakey GAA.

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    Mute Paul Dunne
    Favourite Paul Dunne
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    May 17th 2014, 12:21 PM

    them boys know it’s a waste of time Donegal had there season in the sun no loss

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