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Christy O'Connor Talking Points: McHugh looking to do something no player has done in at least a century – if ever

The biggest challenge for McGuinness was in trying to identify gaps, internally and in the opposition, and then try and find a solution to fill them.

Sat, 26 Jul, 2025 - 06:21

Christy O'Connor

When Donegal won the 2012 All-Ireland, Ryan McHugh was the county minor captain. McHugh was in a similar position to Patrick McBrearty the previous year, a uniquely talented player destined to play senior. It was never a matter of if with McHugh and McBrearty, just when.

Jim McGuinness fast-tracked McBrearty’s progression to the senior team, introducing him as a substitute in the first round of the 2011 Ulster championship against Antrim, just an hour after McBrearty had already played for the minors against Antrim.

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