New Sligo Rovers player Carl McHugh content to be back home after 16-year journey 

Carl McHugh says he’s back home in the League of Ireland content but at the same time determined to push Sligo Rovers back up amongst the Premier Division big boys. 

The Leitirmacaward native has experienced packed houses at the likes of Wembley, Hampden Park, Celtic Park and Ibrox. 

READ NEXT: Harps begin pre-season with encouraging north west derby win over Sligo Rovers 

He’s also played in front of capacity crowds in some of football’s most hostile areas during a six-season spell in the Indian Super League. 

But on a cold, damp Tuesday night in Ballybofey, McHugh beams when he explains that he’s delighted with his early impressions of life at his new surroundings at the Showgrounds. 

McHugh began his professional career with Reading before joining Bradford City in 2012 following a short stint on loan at Dundalk.

At Bradford, he achieved promotion from League Two in 2013 and helped the Bantams to a famous League Cup final appearance that year, with McHugh scoring past fellow countyman and Irish centurion Shay Given in an epic semi-final win over Aston Villa.

He went on to feature for Plymouth and spent three years as a familiar face at Motherwell, captaining the side in Scottish Cup finals before making the move to Asia. 

He’d win two Indian Super League titles as well as the Indian Super Cup during spells with ATK, Mohun Bagan and FC Goa before finally arriving back home last summer.

McHugh has also been capped at every youth level with the Republic of Ireland early in his career, up to and including Under-21 level.

And while Harps might have nicked the win on Tuesday night, with both sides emptying benches and tiraling a number of fresh faces, McHugh understands there is a much bigger picture for The Bit O’Red and boss John Russell. 

“I’m delighted to be home,” McHugh said after the 1-0 defeat at Finn Park. “Obviously, it’s a massive change. I’ve been away so long, ever since I was 16. So it’s great to be back home and the Sligo move was perfect really. 

“Friends and family are just down the road so I’m very fortunate to have signed for a really good club. 

“There is a great squad there, a great manager and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it so far”. 

McHugh, after being released by Reading as a teenager, could easily have turned his back on football after what, at the time, must have felt like a huge disappointment. 

But he dug in and, in the end, dug out a hugely impressive professional career. And at 32 years of age, he feels he can help propel Rovers back up amongst the League of Ireland elite. 

“I feel like I have loads of different experiences and I feel like I’ve got the most out of the ability I have. I gave it everything and I can definitely say I’ve no regrets.

“And it’s a nice time to come home. And what Sligo are trying to build and achieve, I’m really excited about being a part of that. They are very passionate about the club, the supporters, I mean. 

“The manager as well was a big draw. I’d heard nothing only good things about him. I’d met him a few times as well and since I’ve come in, the training and the set-up, it’s first class. 

“It very much felt like a no-brainer”.

“And the League of Ireland is in a very good place. That’s one of the things I’ve noticed early, the standard compared to when I last played in it has definitely improved. 

“The amount of talented young players here, both at Sligo and in the league, is very impressive. So I know it’s going to be a real battle every day we go out. 

“So many of the stadiums around the country are getting great crowds too so, genuinely, I can’t wait for the season to start”.

Rovers have enjoyed a close affinity with Donegal over the years, particularly the south west of the county with plenty of representation in that same time. 

Seamus Coleman is probably the most famous, while another Killybegs man, Declan Boyle, was part of a historic treble-winning team back in 1993/94. Ex-Fanad United man Charlie McGeever also both managed and played for Rovers. 

“Declan Boyle is up with the U-19s at the moment and, over the years, there have been lots of Donegal lads who have played for Rovers.  My focus now is being as ready as I can for the start of the season. 

“The Premier Division is a tough league, some really strong teams. I just want to start repaying the faith John and the club have shown in me. I’ve signed a two-year contract and I just can’t wait to get started now. 

“The aim is to be a difficult team to play against, difficult to beat. They had a fantastic second half to the campaign last season but that was off the back of a slow start. 

“So I guess the initial aim is to not let that happen this time out - to not find ourselves on the back for early. It’s a tight league. There are four European spots and Rovers haven’t won a cup in a few seasons. 

“So there is so much to shoot for, to aspire towards. Speaking to the lads, the loss to Kerry last year was so disappointing. They were three up so that is something that will still be fresh in their heads. 

“We want to compete. The Dublon clubs, with the backing they have, they will again take some stopping. It’s that wee bit harder for the provincial clubs. 

“But we’re definitely very ambitious. I’ve been really impressed so far with the talent in our dressing room. So I’m really happy being around them every day in training. It reenergises you”. 

It’s hard to believe that Tuesday night was McHugh’s first experience of Finn Park. He never played for the club but he’s kept a keen eye on them over the years. 

And he says he’s been really impressed with Kevin McHugh’s vision on how to best progress the Ballybofey-based club forward. 

“I felt they were very good tonight, very well organised and set up. It was a really competitive game, great for both sides. 

“It’s more minutes under the belt. We’re obviously not happy to be coming away with a loss. Even in pre-season, you want to be winning football games. 

“But some of the young lads there tonight for Harps, the likes of Gavin McAteer and Josh Cullen there in the second-half, they really caused us trouble. 

“It’s great to see young Donegal lads getting game time for Finn Harps. I think that’s really important. 

“There has always been good footballers in Donegal and Finn Harps are now giving them a chance to play League of Ireland football.

“Kevin is doing a great job, I’ve heard a lot of good things about how he wants to go about his work. 

“What he did with the academy, he’s now moved up to the first team and he knows exactly what’s coming through. I hope they have a really good season. I wish them all the best.

“Local lads are getting to play League of Ireland football and, long term, I think that’s going to really benefit Finn Harps”