CLAIMING a Celtic Cross will not define Ryan McHugh’s inter-county career — but it would cap things off nicely.
The Kilcar man, 31, made his All-Ireland SFC debut for Donegal in 2013 when Jim McGuinness’ side were reigning champs.
And the flying half-back has since won five Ulster titles for his county.
He has also claimed two All-Stars but is yet to lift Sam Maguire.
Ryan — son of Donegal’s 1992 All-Ireland winner Martin — was even crowned Young Footballer of the Year in 2014 despite losing the final to Kerry that summer.
McGuinness’ men will now face the Kingdom again in the decider on July 27. Their 11-year wait to reach the showpiece also means Ryan is the odd one out in his family as brother Mark lifted Sam in 2012.
But Ryan is keen to join his dad and brother for meals with his own medal bulging in his back pocket.
He said: “It makes it tough at the breakfast and dinner table at home because dad and Mark have one!
“I came in for 2013 but I feel like I’ve had a great career with Donegal. No regret . . . well, an All-Ireland final is a big regret but in terms of my career, I think I’ve had a great career. But this would be the cherry on top of it.
“It’s going to be massive and we’re going to have to put in our best performance all year.”
Donegal ended a ten-year wait for a semi-final berth last year. And they have gone one better this year thanks to Sunday’s 3-26 to 0-15 hammering of Meath.
It will be their first All-Ireland final appearance since 2014 but McHugh admits he has not watched that loss back in full as goals from Paul Geaney and Kieran Donaghy sealed a 2-9 to 0-12 win for the Kingdom. He is hoping to right that wrong 11 years on.
The Tír Chonaill ace said: “It was very difficult. There’s no point lying. I’ve never watched the game back. I have watched clips but not the full game.
“I was 20 at the time and it was very difficult. You thought you were going to be in the semi-final and final every year. But it took us until last year to get back to a semi-final.
“We want to make the most of it. It could be another 11 years until we get back again.”
And the Kingdom are just as big a threat now as they were then. Jack O’Connor’s men humbled All-Ireland champions Armagh 0-32 to 1-21 in the quarter-finals before seeing off Tyrone 1-20 to 0-17 on Saturday to ease into the showpiece.
David Clifford starred with 1-9 against the Red Hand as they scored nine points in a row to kill the game off in the third quarter.
But Donegal produced their own ruthless second-half display as goals from Oisín Gallen, Conor O’Donnell and Ciarán Moore sunk the Royals.
MAGIC MCGUINNESS
And McHugh hailed McGuinness’ magic touch as Donegal chase their third Sam Maguire crown.
He said: “The way I like to answer this question is, he brings it every single night. I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with him, although we didn’t win it, in an All-Ireland final.
“He is on it from the first night we meet in December until the last night for an All-Ireland final. It’s the exact same every single night.
“I know that sounds easy but it’s actually an extremely difficult thing to do. You could have problems off the pitch — like family issues, work issues and different things.
“But he is on it every single night and demands the most from us.
“And to be fair, the team he has around him is so professional.
“It’s not easy to get that, and to be fair to the county board, the finance committees and different things in Donegal, everybody has just rolled in behind him.
“He’s a phenomenal leader. He puts sheer belief into you that you are on the top of your game. He gets the training done and gets it into the legs.
“There’s no guarantee in life you’re going to win but there is a good chance that you are going to compete when Jim is involved.”
