Martin McHugh.
GAA: Martin McHugh has criticised the style of play adopted by both Tyrone and Donegal in yesterday’s Ulster SFC final, describing it as ‘poor’ match.
Yesterday’s final had a gripping finale, with some breathtaking scores from Peter Harte and Sean Cavanagh eventually winning it for Donegal.
However, many were unimpressed by the majority of what was served up by both sides.
Donegal had been in a commanding position at half-time, but a poor second-half, ensured Tyrone would take the Ulster SFC back to the county for the first time since 2010.
In his column with The Irish Daily Star, McHugh wrote, “Donegal invented this style of football and we are probably going to suffer by it.
“We were lucky enough that we got an All-Ireland out of it, but it was a triumph that came at a cost.
“The minute teams copped on to what we were doing, they all started doing it against us.
“It’s terrible to watch when two teams set-up like Donegal and Tyrone and play the exact same way.
“And it’s plain to see it’s the only way Donegal can play now.”
McHugh feels Tyrone will have to play much better if they want to progress further in the All-Ireland series, and said only two Donegal players played to their potential.
Outside of MacNiallais and McHugh no Donegal player played anywhere near close to what they are capable of, and yet they were still a point up in the 69th minute.
“That has to worrying from a Tyrone point of view, they’ll need to do produce much more if they are to compete for an All-Ireland.”
