Carl McHugh

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Carl McHugh
Personal information
Full nameCarl Gerard McHugh[1][2]
Date of birth (1993-02-05) 5 February 1993
Place of birthLettermacaward, Republic of Ireland
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing positionCentral defender, Left back
Club information
Current clubBradford City
Number16
Youth career
2009–2011Reading
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2011–2012Reading0(0)
2011→ Swindon Supermarine (loan)7(2)
2011→ Dundalk (loan)12(0)
2012–Bradford City20(1)
National team‡
Republic of Ireland U17
Republic of Ireland U19
2013–Republic of Ireland U212(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:13, 2 February 2014 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13:49, 27 March 2013 (UTC)

Carl Gerard McHugh (born 5 February 1993) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for League One side Bradford City. Primarily a central defender, McHugh can also play as a left back.

Career

Club career

Born in Lettermacaward, County Donegal, McHugh signed a scholarship with English club Reading at the age of 16.[3] After playing on loan for Swindon Supermarine and Dundalk,[4][5][6] McHugh signed for Bradford City in August 2012.[7] He made his professional debut for Bradford City on 28 August 2012, in a League Cup match against Watford.[8] 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 FA Cup victory over Northampton Town.[9] Earlier that month, McHugh had been praised by his manager for his performance against Wigan Athletic in the League Cup,[10] and he later commented that his recent spell of first-team games had been a "huge learning curve" for him.[11] McHugh's performances have been praised by team-mate Rory McArdle.[12]

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 me. Back in Bradford they might have thought it was the Irish flag, but they know now that it is the Donegal flag."[13] 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.[14] In the latter stages of the 2012–13 season, McHugh began to be played more as a left back.[15] In June 2013, McHugh was praised by former Bradford City left-back Wayne Jacobs.[16] In July 2013, McHugh signed a new one-year contract with Bradford City,[17] and later that month he spoke about his fight to become a first-team member in the forthcoming season.[18]

In November 2013 McHugh publicly spoke about his lack of first-team football.[19] 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.[20]

International career

Having previously played for them at under-17 and under-19 levels,[21] McHugh was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad in January 2013.[22][23] 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.[24] McHugh was recalled to the Irish under-21 squad in March 2013,[25] and he earned a second cap for the under-21s on 25 March 2013.[26] He was re-called to the U21 squad in October 2013 for two Euro Championship qualifiers.[27]

Personal life

McHugh played Gaelic football for Na Rossa, where he was coached by All-Ireland winner Declan Bonner.[28] He is a close friend of Donegal Gaelic footballer Patrick McBrearty.[28][29] McHugh's footballing hero is Shay Given, who also comes from Donegal.[30]

Career statistics

As of 2 February 2014[5][6][31][32]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Reading 2010–11 0000000000
2011–12 0000000000
Total 0000000000
Swindon Supermarine (loan) 2010–11 7200000072
Dundalk (loan) 2011 120400000160
Bradford City 2012–13 161316130283
2013–14 4000101060
Total 201317140343
Career total 393717140575

Honours

Bradford City

References

  1. ↑ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/07/2011 and 31/07/2011". The Football Association. Retrieved 29 August 2012. 
  2. ↑ "Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. May 2013. p. 55. Retrieved 18 June 2013. 
  3. ↑ Parker, Simon (4 September 2012). "Bradford City defender Carl McHugh a small-town hero with a big future". Telegraph & Argus (Newsquest). 
  4. ↑ Reading and Dundalk career stats at Soccerbase
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Profile". Swindon Supermarine F.C. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Profile". Dundalk F.C. 
  7. ↑ Parker, Simon (25 August 2012). "Bradford City: McHugh will come of age at Bantams, says Phil Parkinson". Telegraph & Argus (Newsquest). 
  8. ↑ "Watford 1 – 2 Bradford". BBC Sport (BBC). 28 August 2012. 
  9. ↑ "McHugh scores as Bradford City progress to the next round of the FA Cup". Donegal Daily. 14 November 2012. 
  10. ↑ Parker, Simon (2 November 2012). "It's been a crazy few days, admits Bradford City's fledgling centre back Carl McHugh". Telegraph & Argus (Newsquest). 
  11. ↑ Parker, Simon (20 November 2012). "Carl McHugh growing up fast in young Bradford City defence". Telegraph & Argus (Newsquest). 
  12. ↑ Parker, Simon (21 January 2013). "Bradford City centre half Rory McArdle predicts big things from fast learner Carl McHugh". Telegraph & Argus (Newsquest). 
  13. ↑ Campbell, Peter; Foley, Alan (24 January 2013). "Carl McHugh flies the Donegal flag in Bradford". Donegal Democrat (Johnston Press). Retrieved 24 January 2013. 
  14. ↑ Simon Parker (23 February 2013). "Carl McHugh back on a high at Bradford City after Reading release". Telegraph & Argus. 
  15. ↑ Simon Parker (8 March 2013). "Carl McHugh getting it right on the left for Bradford City". Telegraph & Argus. 
  16. ↑ Simon Parker (14 June 2013). "Bradford City defender Carl McHugh tipped by Wayne Jacobs to make grade at higher level". Telegraph & Argus. 
  17. ↑ "Bradford City; Carl McHugh signs new one year contract". BBC Sport. 3 July 2013. 
  18. ↑ Simon Parker (17 July 2013). "Carl McHugh embraces battle for Bradford City places". Telegraph & Argus. 
  19. ↑ Simon Parker (1 November 2013). "You never know when your chance will come, says Carl McHugh as he plays Bantams waiting game". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 6 November 2013. 
  20. ↑ Simon Parker (17 January 2014). "Carl McHugh smiling again as Bradford City mind coach gets into his head". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 17 January 2014. 
  21. ↑ Carl McHugh – UEFA competition record
  22. ↑ Kelly, Niall (25 January 2013). "Villa killer Carl McHugh called up to Ireland U21 squad". The Score. Retrieved 25 January 2013. 
  23. ↑ Simon Parker (25 January 2013). "International call-up for Bradford City teenager Carl McHugh". Telegraph & Argus. 
  24. ↑ "McHugh makes Under 21s debut". Bradford City A.F.C. 7 February 2013. 
  25. ↑ "McHugh's Irish call up". Bradford City A.F.C. 19 March 2013. 
  26. ↑ "McHugh earns second Irish cap". Bradford City A.F.C. 25 March 2013. 
  27. ↑ Simon Parker (8 October 2013). "Bradford City lose another defender to international call". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 8 October 2013. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "McBrearty looking for time off". Hogan Stand. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013. 
  29. ↑ "Patrick doesn't give an AFL about Oz". Donegal Now. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012. 
  30. ↑ Parker, Simon (8 January 2013). "Bradford City v Aston Villa: Biggest night of McHugh's life? That’s a Given!". Telegraph & Argus (Newsquest). 
  31. ↑ Carl McHugh profile at Soccerway
  32. ↑ Bradford City career stats at Soccerbase
Bradford City A.F.C. – current squad
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