‘Talent coming through’ as 15-year-old Odhran McHugh makes Finn Harps bow

As another teenager made his first senior appearance for Finn Harps on Tuesday night in Odhran McHugh, captain Tony McNamee feels the opportunities for youngsters at the club are huge at present.

Tuesday’s friendly in Ballybofey saw seven teenagers make an appearance, but one eye-catching debut was 15-year-old McHugh.

The son of manager Kevin McHugh and a Northern Ireland Under-16 International, McHugh came on in the final 15 minutes and got stuck in against the Premier Division side.

And McNamee has felt the current regime has been crucial for the development of the youth at the club, a pathway that wasn't always as easy to achieve when fighting relegation.

“You look at last year, I went and watched the Under-17 (National Shield) final that they won in the Community Centre, and there is plenty of talent coming through. 

“The county has always had talent, and I’m not saying it’s about not getting a chance, but when you’re in the Premier Division, you're holding on for dear life, but players now have a chance to go and prove themselves. 

“You look at last year and Corey (Sheridan), Josh (Cullen), and Gavin (McAteer) going to the World Cup and why can’t there be more players from the county coming to Finn Harps and going and playing in the First Division or Premier Division if that comes.

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“We’re not going to say we’re going to win the league or going to get promoted, we will try it, but again it’s about players having this chance now.

“And Odhran, he has Kevin’s traits, and who knows how far he can go in his career? The world is his oyster.

“He can go as far as he wants, but to be fair to Odhran, he’s hard working, he’s willing to listen, and he will learn, and who better to learn off than his dad.”