Hugh McFadden (Gaelic footballer)

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Hugh McFadden
Personal information
Irish name Aodh Mac Pháidín[1]
Sport Gaelic football
Position Midfield/Full-forward
Born Letterkenny, Ireland
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Occupation Primary school teacher
Club(s)
Years Club
2011–
 Na Cealla Beaga
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2014–
 Donegal
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 3

Hugh McFadden is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Na Cealla Beaga and the Donegal county team.

He can operate at midfield or full-forward.[2] He is Donegal's vice-captain, when Michael Murphy is absent.[3][4] As a youth he played association football.

Early life[]

McFadden played association football for St Catherine's. At the age of "16 or 17" he signed for League of Ireland team Finn Harps. He then signed a one-year scholarship with another League of Ireland team, Sligo Rovers, Rovers having won the 2012 League of Ireland Premier Division. According to McFadden, there was interest in him from other League of Ireland clubs too. But interest in Gaelic football was on the rise in his native county following the victorious 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final. Donegal under-21 manager Maxi Curran called McFadden, who expressed an interest in joining, and senior manager Jim McGuinness called upon him around three months afterwards. "There are no regrets there. The way Gaelic football has taken off in Donegal — I wanted to be involved", McFadden said in 2015.[5]

Playing career[]

Club[]

McFadden reached the final of the 2013 Donegal Senior Football Championship with his club. Despite McFadden scoring a goal and pointing three frees, they lost to Glenswilly.[6]

Inter-county[]

McFadden's performances for his club in that 2013 championship run drew the attention of county manager Jim McGuinness. In September 2013, McGuinness called McFadden into the senior inter-county team for winter training after McFadden scored 2–4 for his club in their 2013 Donegal Senior Football Championship quarter-final defeat of Sean Mac Cumhaills.[2][7][8] He appeared as a substitute in the 2014 National Football League.[9] McFadden also played in the under-21 team that lost to Cavan in the 2014 Ulster final.[10] He remained as a panel member for the Championship campaign, as Donegal won the 2014 Ulster Senior Football Championship and advanced to the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final. He did not play in the final.[4]

Following his appearance on the bench for 2014 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, McFadden (still eligible for the competition) played in the 2015 Ulster Under-21 Football Championship final loss to Tyrone, scoring five points (including four frees).[11]

McFadden started Rory Gallagher's first match in charge of the county, a 2015 Dr McKenna Cup away defeat to Derry.[12] He started the opening fixture of the 2015 National Football League (against Derry as well but at home on this occasion).[13] He also started the third fixture against Cork in Ballyshannon.[14] He started the fifth fixture against Kerry at Austin Stack Park and scored a point.[15] He also started the sixth and seventh fixtures against Tyrone and Mayo.[16][17] Donegal qualified for the NFL semi-final. McFadden also started this game.[18][19]

McFadden made substitute appearances in the 2015 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final against Armagh and the semi-final against Derry.[20][21] He did not feature in the final.[22] McFadden started the 2015 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier defeat of Galway at Croke Park and the next game against Mayo at the same venue.[23][24]

McFadden started the opening fixture of the 2016 National Football League away to Down.[25] He then started the second fixture against Cork, a ten-point win in Ballyshannon.[26] He also started the third, fourth, sixth and seventh fixtures against Mayo, Kerry, Dublin and Monaghan.[27][28][29][30]

McFadden started the opening fixture of the 2017 National Football League against Kerry.[31] He made a substitute appearances in the second and third fixtures against Roscommon and Dublin.[32][33] He started the fourth fixture against Cavan and scored 0–2.[34] He did likewise in the fifth fixture against Tyrone.[35] He then started the sixth and seventh fixtures against Monaghan and Mayo.[36][37]

McFadden started the 2017 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final against Antrim and scored 0–1.[38] He made a substitute appearance in the semi-final loss to Tyrone and also scored 0–1.[39] He started both the 2017 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier defeat of Meath at Páirc Tailteann and the qualifier loss to Galway at Markievicz Park.[40][41]

Under the management of Declan Bonner, McFadden took on the captaincy during the 2018 National Football League in the absence of regular team captain Michael Murphy, including in games against Kerry in Killarney and Dublin at Croke Park.[42][43] He scored a point against Tyrone in the same competition.[44] McFadden started the final as Donegal secured the 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship.[45] He had earlier scored a goal against Derry in the quarter-final.[46] He also started the preliminary round against Cavan and the semi-final against Down.[47][48]

McFadden again captained Donegal during the 2019 National Football League in the absence of injured regular captain Murphy.[49] He started against Clare in the opening fixture of the competition in Ennis, scoring a point.[50] He also started the second, third, fourth and fifth fixtures against Meath, Tipperary, Fermanagh and Armagh.[51][52][53][54] He started and scored a point in both the sixth and seventh fixtures against Cork and Kildare.[55][56] Donegal qualified for the National Football League Division 2 final and McFadden started the game as Donegal defeated Meath to win the title.[57]

McFadden started each game of the 2019 Ulster Senior Football Championship, as Donegal defeated Fermanagh in the quarter-final, Tyrone in the semi-final and Cavan in the final (McFadden scored one point in the semi-final and one point in the final).[58][59][60]

He scored a goal against Monaghan in the 2020 National Football League.[61] Then the COVID-19 pandemic brought play to a halt. Play resumed behind closed doors on 18 October with a home game against Tyrone; McFadden started that game.[62] He did not participate in the final league game away to Kerry as he and other senior players (such as Michael Murphy, Ryan McHugh and Eoghan Bán Gallagher) were rested ahead of the 2020 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final against Tyrone the following Sunday.[63]

Personal life[]

Mr McFadden is a teacher at Scoil an Linbh Íosa, a primary school near Donegal Town.[64]

As of 2021, he was living in a house in Donegal Town with Eoghan Bán Gallagher.[65]

Honours[]

Donegal
Na Cealla Beaga

References[]

  1. ^ "Two changes for clash with Roscommon". Donegal News. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b McNulty, Chris (29 September 2013). "Ciaran Bonner, Leon Thompson and Christy Toye among 'new' faces for Donegal". Donegal News. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  3. ^ McNulty, Chris (24 June 2019). "Declan Bonner pays tribute to Manus Kelly on day of 'mixed emotions'". Retrieved 24 June 2019. Murphy did not attend the homecomin[sic] with vice-captain Hugh McFadden carrying the Anglo-Celt Cup into Donegal Town and addressing the crowd.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Rooney, Declan (19 May 2020). "Hugh McFadden: Donegal can get back to top". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  5. ^ Foley, Alan (25 June 2015). "Hugh McFadden takes scenic route to Donegal set-up". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "Donegal SFC final: Murphy delivers man-of-the-match display". Hogan Stand. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  7. ^ "McFadden powers Killybegs into last four". Donegal Democrat. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013. The difference between the sides was full-forward Hugh McFadden, who caused havoc in the MacCumhaill's defence and finished with a tally of 2-4 to put himself in the shop window for Jim McGuinness.
  8. ^ McNulty, Chris (5 October 2013). "SFC: Jason Noctor and Killybegs aiming to make up for 'wasted chance'". Donegal News. Retrieved 5 October 2013. …Hugh McFadden's cracking 2–4 against Sean MacCumhaills in the quarter-final bleeped on Jim McGuinness’s radar.
  9. ^ "Allianz NFL: Donegal v Armagh in Division 2 Final". Donegal Now. 6 April 2014. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2014. Rory Kavanagh is down after a hit from Jamie Clarke as Hugh McFadden gets ready to come on.
  10. ^ "Cavan seal a fourth successive Ulster U21 football title as they see off Donegal: The winners finished strongly in tonight's decider at the Athletic Grounds". MSN. 9 April 2014. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b Bannon, Orla (8 April 2015). "Tyrone footballers crowned Ulster Under-21 champions". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 5 December 2018.
  12. ^ McNulty, Chris (4 January 2015). "Report: Rory Gallagher's experimental Donegal well beaten by Derry". Donegal News. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  13. ^ "Gallagher delighted with early statement as McBrearty steps up". Irish Independent. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  14. ^ "Donegal edge out Cork in Ballyshannon". RTÉ Sport. 1 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  15. ^ O'Riordan, Ian (15 March 2015). "Kerry hold nerve and Donegal in Tralee spring classic". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  16. ^ Bannon, Orla (29 March 2015). "Donegal make light work of Tyrone". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  17. ^ "Donegal draw with Mayo enough for semi-final place". RTÉ Sport. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  18. ^ "Football League Div 1 semi-final: Cork 4–11 0–19 Donegal". BBC Sport. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  19. ^ Moynihan, Michael (13 April 2015). "Rampant Cork Rebels rock Donegal with goal rush". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  20. ^ Mooney, Francis (14 June 2015). "Donegal progress untested by Armagh". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  21. ^ Mooney, Francis (27 June 2015). "Donegal forced to dig deep for Derry win". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  22. ^ Breheny, Martin (19 July 2015). "Monaghan beat Donegal at their own game as Ulster champions dethroned". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  23. ^ Keane, Paul (1 August 2015). "Round 4B: Brilliant Donegal dismantle Galway". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  24. ^ Keane, Paul (8 August 2015). "Classy Mayo outgun sluggish Donegal". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  25. ^ Bannon, Orla (30 January 2016). "Disastrous return to Division One for Down as Donegal run riot in Newry". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  26. ^ "Cork crash to 10-point defeat as impressive Donegal go top of Division 1: Goals from Odhrán MacNiallais and Martin O'Reilly spurred Donegal to victory". The42.ie. 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  27. ^ Campbell, Peter (28 February 2016). "Donegal march on beating Mayo". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  28. ^ Leen, Tony (7 March 2016). "Dogged Kerry win arm wrestle". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  29. ^ Keane, Paul (28 March 2016). "Donegal turn blind eye to James McCarthy incident". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  30. ^ Shalvey, Colm (3 April 2016). "Allianz FL D1: Last gasp Monaghan avoid relegation". Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  31. ^ Foley, Alan (5 February 2017). "Geaney at the double as Kerry achieve first opening round league win under Fitzmaurice". The42.ie. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  32. ^ Rooney, Declan (12 February 2017). "Donegal prevail late on against Roscommon". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  33. ^ Foley, Alan (26 February 2017). "Murphy's injury-time free rescues a draw for Donegal as Dublin extend unbeaten run to 32 games". The42.ie. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  34. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (4 March 2017). "Donegal strike early to see off Cavan". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  35. ^ Kelly, Kevin (18 March 2017). "Allianz FL D1: Donegal too good for Tyrone". Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  36. ^ Foley, Alan (27 March 2017). "Late escape for Monaghan as Donegal pay penalty". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  37. ^ Gannon, Colm (2 April 2017). "Aidan O'Shea's late introduction proves decisive as Mayo see off Donegal to avoid relegation". The42.ie. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  38. ^ Foley, Alan (21 May 2017). "Paddy McGrath among the goalscorers as Donegal blitz Antrim to advance in Ulster". The42.ie. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  39. ^ "The pendulum has swung decisively in Tyrone's favour in the battle of Ulster's giants following a runaway win at Clones". Irish Examiner. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  40. ^ Keane, Paul (8 July 2017). "Round 3A Qualifier: Donegal edge thriller". Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  41. ^ Small, Daragh (22 July 2017). "Round 4A Qualifier: Impressive Galway advance". Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  42. ^ O’Toole, Fintan (28 January 2018). "Casey hits winning point, O'Shea fires 0-7 and 3 red cards shown in Kerry Donegal clash". The42.ie. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  43. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (10 February 2018). "Dublin survive strong Donegal fightback to make it three wins from three". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  44. ^ Bogue, Declan (10 March 2018). "Two-goal Tyrone move closer to safety with big win over Donegal in Omagh". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  45. ^ Jump up to: a b Mooney, Francis (24 June 2018). "Energetic Donegal end Fermanagh's Ulster title dream". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  46. ^ Mooney, Francis (27 May 2018). "McBrearty excels to fire Donegal past Derry". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018.
  47. ^ McNulty, Chris (13 May 2018). "Ulster SFC: Donegal too good for Cavan". Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  48. ^ Mooney, Francis (10 June 2018). "14-man Donegal cruise past Down into Ulster decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  49. ^ "Hugh McFadden says improvement is needed for Meath". Highland Radio. 1 February 2019. Archived from the original on 1 February 2019.
  50. ^ Lynch, Derrick (27 January 2019). "Missing a host of regulars, Donegal come away from Clare with victory". The42.ie. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  51. ^ Campbell, Peter (2 February 2019). "Fortuitous goal sees Donegal come back to beat Meath". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  52. ^ Fallon, John (10 February 2019). "Casey strikes late goal as Tipp come back to shock Donegal". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  53. ^ Campbell, Peter (24 February 2019). "Fermanagh rally against 13-man Donegal to stay unbeaten in Division 2". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  54. ^ Foley, Alan (2 March 2019). "Super sub Murphy makes decisive impact in narrow win for Donegal". The42.ie. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  55. ^ Hurley, Denis (16 March 2019). "Cork on brink of drop to Division 3 as Donegal power home". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  56. ^ Branigan, Peter (24 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass fires Donegal back to top flight". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  57. ^ Jump up to: a b O'Brien, Kevin (30 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass helps Donegal to Division 2 glory after comeback win over Meath". The42.ie. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  58. ^ Mooney, Francis (26 May 2019). "Donegal overcome Fermanagh in Ulster arm-wrestle". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  59. ^ Mooney, Francis (8 June 2019). "Donegal power past Tyrone to make Ulster decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  60. ^ Jump up to: a b Sweeney, Peter (23 June 2019). "Donegal power past Cavan to claim Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  61. ^ Foley, Alan (1 March 2020). "McFadden and Ward hit the net as Donegal claim easy victory over Monaghan". The42.ie. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  62. ^ McNulty, Chris (18 October 2020). "Allianz FL D1: Donegal defeat Tyrone". Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  63. ^ "Understrength Donegal well beaten by Kerry". Donegal News. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  64. ^ McNamara, Siobhan (23 June 2018). "Good luck Mr McFadden – schoolchildren in county colours to support popular teacher". Donegal Now. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019.
  65. ^ Craig, Frank (29 April 2021). "Eoghan Bán wants a tailored season". Gaelic Life. Retrieved 29 April 2021. 'Luckily, myself and Hugh McFadden were able to batter away together. We share a house in Donegal Town'. Also published as "Eoghan Bán Gallagher a big fan of tailored inter-county season" in the Donegal News of the same date, 29 April 2021: pp 60–61.
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