Donegal Town FC boss Paul McHugh hopes to maintain positive year with good Cup run

In the enchanting world of football, there exists a phenomenon known as the "Magic of the Cup". It's a force that transcends the perceived hierarchy of teams, where underdogs can defy expectations and giants may stumble. 

Like most football managers Donegal Town FC manager Paul McHugh knows this situation all too well as his side brace themselves for a crucial Cup clash against rivals Letterbarrow Celtic.  

Riding a wave of success, there's an air of optimism surrounding the team in Donegal Town, who sit at the top of the First Division, but McHugh remains a steady hand at the helm, wary of the unpredictable twists cup competitions can bring. 
Recalling a summer encounter with Letterbarrow, where Donegal Town FC triumphed 5-1, McHugh acknowledges the transformation in their rivals.  

"We played Letterbarrow at the start of the summer and they were very poor, I think it was 5-1 we beat them that day, but we played them again since then and they’ve really improved, so we won’t be taking anything for granted,” McHugh observes, emphasizing the danger of underestimating a team that has evolved since their last meeting.  

As the league table suggests Donegal Town FC's dominance, McHugh tempers enthusiasm. "I don't know if how the league table looks at the minute truly reflects the position we are in," he cautions. The manager singles out upcoming away games against formidable opponents like Bonagee, Cappry, and Letterkenny Rovers, reminding his team that success is a continuous journey. 

Haunted by the memories of a Premier Division campaign two years ago, the Donegal manager stresses the importance of remaining vigilant. Topping the league at Christmas, the subsequent relegation following Gavin Mulreany's departure to Finn Harps serves as a stark reminder that complacency can unravel even the most promising seasons. 

“Remember, when we were in the Premier Division two years ago, we were top of the league at Christmas, but then we lost Gavin Mulreany to Finn Harps, we then ended up getting relegated that season, so you can never get ahead of yourself in this game,” McHugh said. 

In the current season, Donegal Town FC's success is attributed to squad stability, having lost only one player – Joe McIntyre to Australia. The team's unity becomes a formidable asset as they pursue their primary goal: promotion to the Premier Division.  

“We’re happy where we’re at for the moment, but there’s a lot of more games to be played. Luckily for us we’ve only lost one player in our squad this year and that’s because Joe McIntyre went to Australia. So, it’s all positive thankfully.” 

Despite being labeled as favorites in the upcoming Cup clash against Letterbarrow, McHugh remains wary. 

“It’s important to go out and perform every game, our aim is to win the league, but you still have to go out and give the cup a good rattle. We have all the respect in the world for Letterbarrow. I wouldn’t be looking back at past results and thinking we have these boys. A local derby is a different animal. 

“We’ll be preparing for this game and treating the opposition the exact same way we’d prepare if we were playing Letterkenny Rovers or Fanad or whoever.” 

As Donegal Town FC readies themselves on what many hope will be a captivating spectacle, the overarching theme for the season for this squad is to return to the top division of the Donegal junior league. 

“Yeah, our aim from the start of the season was always to get promoted to the Premier Division. We were there for about four seasons and it’s just a different level. Even this season you can see how driven the players are to get out of this league.”