Career
Primarily a central defender, McHugh can also play as a left back, and even as a midfielder. Early career Born in Lettermacaward, County Donegal, McHugh signed a scholarship with English club Reading at the age of 16. McHugh spent loan spells at Swindon Supermarine and Dundalk.
McHugh spent one year as a professional at Reading before being released in the summer of 2012.
Bradford City McHugh signed for Bradford City in August 2012. He made his professional debut for Bradford City on 28 August 2012, in a League Cup match against Watford.
He made his debut in The Football League on 27 October 2012, coming on as a substitute in the 1–0 defeat away at Burton Albion. In November, he starred and scored an equalising header for Bradford City in their victory over Northampton Town.
Earlier that month, McHugh had been praised by his manager for his performance against Wigan Athletic in the League Cup, and he later commented that his recent spell of first-team games had been a "huge learning curve" for him.
McHugh"s performances have been praised by team-mate Rory McArdle. Following Bradford City"s elimination of Aston Villa in the League Cup semi-final, McHugh was photographed waving the flag of his native county on the pitch at Villa Park. He later said, "That was the highlight of the night for medical
Back in Bradford they might have thought it was the Irish flag, but they know now that it is the Donegal flag." In the run-up to the 2013 Football League Cup Final, which McHugh played in, he was cited as an "unsung hero" of the Bradford City team
In the latter stages of the 2012-2013 season, McHugh began to be played more as a left back. In June 2013, McHugh was praised by former Bradford City left-back Wayne Jacobs.
In July 2013, McHugh signed a new one-year contract with Bradford City, and later that month he spoke about his fight to become a first-team member in the forthcoming season. In November 2013 McHugh publicly spoke about his lack of first-team football.
By 17 January 2014, however, he had played 3 of the club"s last 4 games, and he credited a sports psychologist for helping him regain his first-team spot.
Plymouth Argyle On 16 June 2014, McHugh signed a two-year contract with Plymouth Argyle. McHugh played 50 games for Plymouth in his first season at the club, mainly at Centre Back alongside Peter Hartley and Curtis Nelson. During the 2014/15 season Plymouth had one of the best defensive records in the league.
Following the arrival of new Plymouth manager Derek Adams in the summer of 2015, McHugh was moved further up the field into a midfield role.
McHugh has played all season in midfield and has helped his side to the top of League Two earning a lot of praise for his performances throughout the season. Having previously played for them at under-17 and under-19 levels, McHugh was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad in January 2013.
He made his debut for the U21s on 6 February 2013, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 victory over the Netherlands. McHugh was recalled to the Irish under-21 squad in March 2013, and he earned a second cap for the under-21s on 25 March 2013.
He was re-called to the U21 squad in October 2013 for two Euro Championship qualifiers.
McHugh"s footballing hero is Shay Given, who also comes from Donegal.