Kevin McHugh
- This article is about the football player, Kevin McHugh. For the pianist and composer, see Kevin McHugh (musician).
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kevin McHugh | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Derry City | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
Kevin McHugh (born January 19, 1980 in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish football (soccer) player currently with the League of Ireland club Derry City F.C.
Career
Finn Harps
Raised in the border-town of Killea in Co. Donegal, McHugh scored and made his debut for Ballybofey-side, Finn Harps, against Fanad United in the League Cup as just a novice 17 year old. He went on to make 184 appearances for the side, building up a reputation as one of the deadliest forwards in the Irish game by scoring 110 league goals. In 2005, the striker became one of just five then-current players to join the 38-strong group of players to have scored 100 or more league goals in the modern era.
Despite the relegation of Finn Harps from the Premier Division, McHugh finished third highest scorer in the 2005 season with 13 goals. He attracted the attention of many top Irish clubs, including Shelbourne and Bohemians, before the beginning of the 2006 season, but he chose to join Harps' north-west rivals Derry City, believing that the time had come to move on after remaining loyal to his old club for so many years.
Derry City
McHugh had a mixed first season at the Brandywell, and by his own high standards was probably disappointed by his performances. He struggled to break up the Beckett-Farren partnership up front and often found himself deployed on the right wing by Stephen Kenny. His hard work and tireless running there meant he quickly won over the City faithful, despite his long history with local rivals, Harps. McHugh managed to get on target 6 times in the 2006 season and performed particularly impressively in Derry's 2006 UEFA Cup ties.
McHugh was the first FAI National League player to score in the 2007 season.