At just 18 years of age, Ruairi McHugh already has plenty of big game experience under his belt and he’ll hope to use that to his advantage when he leads Holy Trinity out onto the pitch at Healy Park for Sunday’s MacRory Cup final.
He was part of the Tyrone minor team that narrowly lost the 2021 All-Ireland minor final to Meath in Croke Park. Last season, he played midfield on the U20 side that defeated Kildare in the All-Ireland decider in Carrick-on-Shannon.
As he looks forward to a second successive MacRory Cup final, this time against Omagh CBS, McHugh is determined to finish on the right side of the result after losing out to St Mary’s, Magherafelt 12 months ago.
“I’ve played in a few big games and there’s a few of the Omagh lads who’ve played in some big games with me,” said McHugh.
“I think there’s a few players on both teams who’ve played on big occasions. The MacRory Cup final is definitely a special one for me.
“There’s an unbelievable buzz about the school and I just can’t wait to get out on the pitch and play in the game.
“It is a different build-up this year. There’s still the same buzz and excitement there was last year, but last year it was history in itself getting there. Now, there’s no history unless it is won.
“It was an honour to captain the team and lead them to the final last year. Hopefully, this year, I can captain the team and win the cup.”
Two first half goals from Niall O’Donnell and Cahir Quinn provided St Mary’s with the platform for success and they were always able to keep the Cookstown side at arm’s length in last year’s decider at the Athletic Grounds.
McHugh feels their experience will stand to them this time around - especially regarding dealing with the pre-match nerves.
“Credit to that St Mary’s team - they were a brilliant team and a tough opponent,” reflected McHugh.
“I think they were more settled and calm and maybe we were a bit more nervous. They got a strong start and hit the net early. We were always chasing the game and it was played on their terms.
“Hopefully, this time, we’ll be a bit calmer and maybe we can get out in front early.
“At the end of the day, a loss like that is going to be a massive learning curve.
“That hurt is still with you and it will stand by you. Nobody wants to feel that hurt again. “Everyone is just dying to know what it is like to be on the other side of that feeling on MacRory Cup final day.”
As much as McHugh wants to lift the MacRory Cup on Sunday, he knows that Eolm McElholm harbours similar ambitions.
The Omagh CBS captain played alongside McHugh in the 2021 loss to Meath and he captained Tyrone to Ulster Minor success last season.
Holy Trinity defenders Callan Kelly and Brian Hampsey also featured in that All-Ireland minor final while McHugh and McElholm will be teammates again in the coming weeks as Tyrone begin the defence of their Ulster and All-Ireland U20 titles.
McHugh has nothing but the utmost respect for Omagh and insists any team led by McElholm will be tough opponents.
“It is going to be a great final,” added the Coalisland native.
“Some of their players are class acts. Obviously, I know Eoin McElholm very well.
“I played in the Tyrone minor team with him and we went all the way to Croke Park.
“He is involved in this year’s Tyrone U20 team along with myself. He is a quality player. To say he is a class act is probably an understatement.
"He loves the big day and he’ll be looking to give a big performance in the MacRory Cup final.
“They’ve some great players and we’ve plenty of talent on our team so it should be a great game.
“Every game this year went down to the wire and, hopefully, that will stand to us. All the games have been close with some last-minute drama - certainly with us.
“Omagh, credit to them, have come through some tough battles as well and they’ll be tough opponents in the final.”
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