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Hughes Calls Time On Inter County Career
Monday 30.01.2012
Kevin Hughes is the latest Tyrone player to call time on his inter County career. “Hub” as he was affectionately known gave great service to Tyrone sides in midfield in a county career that spanned fifteen years during which he won every honour in the game.
The Killeeshil clubman first shot to prominence on the Tyrone minor teams of 1997 and 1998 reaching two All Ireland finals and winning the Tom Markham Cup in the second of those years. He then progressed to U21 level where he helped the Red Hands win back to back All Ireland titles in 2000 and 2001 and after winning a National League medal in 2002 he repeated that success twelve months later as well of course as playing a major role in helping the O’Neill County capture the Sam Maguire Cup for the first time.
In that final win over neighbours Armagh he was awarded the man of the match award after a superb performance in the middle of the park. He missed out on a second All Ireland senior medal in 2005 as he was in Australia but three years later he came on as a substitute at halftime in the decider against Kerry and made an immediate impact by playing a key role in Tommy McGuigan’s decisive goal. He is the latest high profile name to announce his retirement romr the all conquering Tyrone side and County Board Chairman Ciaran McLaughlin paid tribute to him last night.
“It’s very disappointing when someone of the calibre of Kevin Hughes decides to hang up the boots,” said McLaughlin.
“In some ways it is understandable after all of the work that men like ‘Hub’ have put in over the years.
He has been a huge part in delivering two of our three All Ireland Senior wins, in 2003 and 2008, as well as numerous Ulster and All Ireland underage medals and everyone in Tyrone thanks him for the service that he gave and wish him well in his retirement.
Mickey Harte is in the process of trying to replace legends at the minute and the McKenna Cup win on Saturday is evidence of the fact that there’s plenty of talent still around.”
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