Been there, seen it and got the t-shirt is an often over used adage in sport, but it certainly applies to lawn bowler Martin McHugh.
The 49-year-old has won two bronze medals at the World Championships, won three British singles titles and one in the pairs, while in 1998 he struck gold at the Commonwealth Games.
McHugh has been selected for a seventh consecutive Commonwealth Games and when he rolls his first bowl at Leamington Spa, he will become second on the list of Team NI’s most appearances by an athlete at the multi-sport event, shoot David Calvert competed 11 times.
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“It’s unbelievable, each Commonwealth Games is very special, to represent Northern Ireland for a seventh time is going to be something special again,” enthused McHugh
“I think the longevity is down to the people that surround me, my family have been first class, they have looked after me and supported me from day one.”
“With Neil Booth in now as team manager the preparation that we have done is first class.”
To stay at the top of his game for so long McHugh has had to make scarifies along over the years.
“Very much so especially with the family, Jordan now is 14 and he will have been at two Commonwealth Games with me and Helen, the sacrifice they have made they have travelled all over to support me.”
“Mum and dad have supported me from the first Commonwealth Games right through to the seventh.
While McHugh has cherished all previous six appearances at the Commonwealth Games the obviously highlight was the gold medal at Kuala Lumpa in 1998 when with Ian McClure, Neil Booth and Gary McCloy Team NI beat Australia 26-21 in the final.
“To be part of that four to win the Commonwealth Games gold medal is something that is going to live with me for the rest of my life, especially playing with Ian, and Neil was part of that and now he is the manager.
“Hopefully this year is going to be the same because I have high hopes.
“They are brilliant memories, I always remember at the Commonwealth Games meeting Jonah Lomu and that is one of my favourite memories.
“We actually played New Zealand in one of the games to qualify and the All Blacks came to watch them play against us, it was a high intense game and lucky enough we came out on the right end of it.”
The memories of standing on top or the podium are still fresh in McHugh’s mind.
“It was very emotional and one that I’ve savoured for over 20 years and I’d like to have that feeling again.”
While McHugh is going to his seventh games and McClure a sixth there are seven debutants among 10 players in the squad.
“It’s great especially the men’s team, Ian (McClure) and myself have been obviously around for quite a while and it is great to see Adam (McKeown) and Sam (Barkley) coming into the fold, they have acquitted themselves very well and have answered all the questions to make themselves part of the team.
“The girls it is all going to be their first Commonwealth Games and Neil has put the faith in them and it is up to them to prove that they are capable of going and medalling.
“One or two of them have been picking my brains and rightly so, obviously Ian and myself have the experience, the first Commonwealth Games go and enjoy it and live the moment.”
The bowls will be based in Leamington Spa at the Commonwealth Games and McHugh will play in the pairs with Sam Barkley and the fours with McClure, Barkley and McKeown.
“I have had good success with Sam over the last couple of years, Sam won the Irish junior singles, and we won the pairs, we have got that bond now in the fours now with Adam coming in and playing with Ian again we have high hopes.”
McHugh is hoping the team chemistry will pay off.
“I think it is that bond, I have known Ian for over 30 years playing bowls, I have got to know Sam and Adam over the last couple of years and they are my club mates now.
“Seeing them day in day out now we have got that bond especially with Sam playing in the pairs, the nerves is going to be there for them over the next couple of weeks until the games start but one they start we’ll be ready.”
A home games could be a big advantage to Team NI and the squad travelled to Leamington in May to get a feel for the greens and venue.
“Definitely a home Commonwealth Games is going to be a bit more special because it is on or grass now, India and the Gold Coast they were on a different surface, so the greens that we are playing on at home or going to be the same greens that we will be playing on in Birmingham which is a wee bit easier for us to adapt.
“For Sam it was his first time being in Leamington, so it was great to get the opportunity and get out there and play on the greens.
“The greens are a wee bit slower but at least we can adapt from playing on our own greens, once we get there the stands will be up and it will look more professional."
McHugh would recommend bowls to anyone thinking of taking up the sport.
“Bowls has been very good to me over the years, I have got to see all the world doing something that I love doing, for the young ones coming through they have that opportunity now to go and see the whole world.”
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