James McHugh could’ve been forgiven for being a little puzzles in the closing minutes of Donegal’s Allianz League win over Meath on Saturday might.
As he listened intently from his home in Bavin, the 1992 All-Ireland winner heard his son, Eoin, had put Donegal into an injury time lead.
Jamie Brennan added another deep into the additional moments to seal a 1-13 to 0-14 win.
McHugh, a 67th minute replacement for Eamonn Doherty, kicked over to put Donegal in front for the first time since the fifth minute.
“I told him not to come. I told him that I wasn’t playing!” McHugh mentioned as a call came through from his father.
Last year, McHugh opted to take leave of his place in the Donegal panel.
After stepping away to concentrate on his studies at Ulster University, McHugh spent the summer in Boston, playing for Donegal Boston.
He watched from afar as Donegal regained a hold of the Anglo Celt and reached the Super 8s.
“After a long year away, it’s good to be back,” he says now.
“It’s good to be in the mix with the boys again. You miss the boys when you’re away.
“It was like taking away half of your family.
“I see the lads, in Dublin or Donegal, so often. We’re always together so it’s good to be in the mix of things and have my name in the hat.”
McHugh knows he won’t instantly command a spot in Declan Bonner’s team.
He said: “I have to catch up to the boys on fitness, but it was nice to get a run. I’m hoping to build on it.”
McHugh said: “It’s a stepping stone. We aim to win every game. You go out to win every game. We knew Meath would put it up to us. They’re team on the rise.
“It was important for us to come out and get a win, whatever way we did that.
Meath put it up to us massively. We got a touch of luck, but you take every bit of luck you can get in these games.”
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