Mark McHugh says he did not enjoy watching Roscommon inflict another heavy defeat on his native Donegal during the final round of the Allianz Football League on Sunday. The 2012 All-Ireland winner is a coach in Roscommon boss Davy Burke's management team.
The league campaign was a disastrous one for Donegal. They picked up just three points and were all but relegated prior to the game against Roscommon. Last week, Paddy Carr resigned as Donegal manager after just five months in charge. Aidan O'Rourke and Paddy Bradley took the reins on Sunday.
'You don't ever want to see Donegal like that'
"It's a bittersweet day as a Donegal man," Kilcar clubman McHugh told Ocean FM after the 0-21 to 0-9 win for Roscommon.
"You don't ever want to see Donegal like that. Unfortunately, that's just the way it is. I didn't enjoy today. I didn't enjoy being against some of my clubmates there - Brian [O'Donnell] and Paddy [McBrearty]. It's not easy. You do a professional job. That's part of the gig. I just hope it doesn't happen again."
26 February 2023; Roscommon manager Davy Burke, left, with selectors Mark McHugh, centre, and Gerry McGowan before the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Monaghan and Roscommon at St Tiernach's Park in Clones, Monaghan. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Though Sunday's game was not a pleasurable one for McHugh, he is enjoying the overall experience with Roscommon.
"I don't know if my [family enjoy it], I'm away that much," he said.
"It's great for [my children] and they're kitted out in the Roscommon gear today. They follow whatever Daddy tells them. Mammy was trying to get them to put on the Donegal gear this morning. They opted for the Kilcar colours, blue and yellow!
"I'm enjoying learning from the people around me. I came into this with not a huge amount of experience. When you're playing, you don't realise what's going on behind the scenes.
"Hopefully, we have a three-year gig down here. There's a lot more learning, a lot more games to be played.
"Job number one for us this year was trying to retain that Division 1 status. Roscommon have been known for being that up and down team for a long time. It wasn't guaranteed until we actually won today. It's a big monkey off our back. It's only two weeks to prepare for Mayo."
On Saturday, McHugh played in a charity fundraising match for Killybegs man Joe McBrearty. The well-known GAA coach is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.
"All the lads came down to Killybegs, and it was a great day," said McHugh, urging people to make a donation in support of McBrearty.
"Joe has a big battle ahead of him, and he knows that. We're all rooting for him. He's out of work, he can't perform his employment duties. He's a coach, a top, top coach."
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