MARK MCHUGH has told of the real hurt felt by Donegal from Ulster final defeats – and has no intention of enduring similar pain this Sunday.
McHugh lost the finals of 2013 and 2015 to Monaghan and was in American for the summer of 2014 when Donegal last captured the Anglo Celt Cup.
The Kilcar man, who returned to the panel last year, has recaptured his grá for the game again and has previous hurts to banish.
“When you win one it’s great, you savour it and you enjoy it, but the ones you lose you remember the most,” McHugh told Donegal Sport Hub.
[adrotate group=”43″]“They’re the ones you feel in the stomach. It’s only coming around to now that we get over that defeat to Monaghan last year.
“You put in that hard work on the cold nights, it’s demoralising when you lose. The trophy here in Ulster means a lot to the players.
“It’s the number one goal at the start of every year. It’s always about winning that title.”
[adrotate group=”53″]McHugh was an All-Star in 2012 when Donegal captured Sam Maguire and says the experienced warriors in the Tir Chonaill trenches have a burning desire to recapture their place at Ulster’s summit.
He said: “It’s important to install the belief that this team is still around. We’re really looking forward to the final. Since that evening in Cavan we just can’t wait for it.
“The League is a stepping stone to the Championship. Since we met in January, June 12 has been the main date. We got the victories to retain Division 1 status and then it was all about Fermanagh.”
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/mark-mchugh-pre-ulster-final
