Martin McHugh to take reins of Donegal U-16 Academy footballers 

Martin McHugh has stepped up to fill the managerial void with the Donegal U-16 footballers. 

The board was struggling in its attempts to fill the breach and initially approached the 1992 legend about putting a manager in place. 

When that initial task proved difficult, McHugh himself stepped into the breach and, in the process, has assembled a very impressive backroom team. 

Danny O’Donnell (Naomh Muire) is on board as is 2012 All-Ireland winner Martin McElhinney from St Michael’s. Kilcar pair Declan Gallagher and Kevin Campbell (goalkeeping coach) make up the line-up. 

“I was on the coaching committee and we couldn’t get a manager so I was asked to come on in a temporary capacity,” McHugh said.

“I was happy to do that. We get going on March 26 so time was getting thin. The real aim of the set-up is to get the players ready for minor football next year. 

“We’re having a really good look. And even if there are clubs out there that feel they have a player good enough, or they feel is good enough to make that step-up, we’ll only be too happy to have a look as well”. 

McHugh of course also managed the county U-16s way back in 1999 and led the side to Ted Webb glory, the precursor to the Buncrana Cup, that same term.