Introduction
Hugh McFadden is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays with Na Cealla Beaga and the Donegal senior inter-county team. He can operate at midfield or full-forward. He is Donegal's vice-captain, when Michael Murphy is absent. As a youth he played association football.
Early life
McFadden played association football for St Catherine's. At the age of "16 or 17" he signed for League of Ireland team Finn Harps. He then signed a one-year scholarship with another League of Ireland team, Sligo Rovers, Rovers having won the 2012 League of Ireland Premier Division. According to McFadden, there was interest in him from other League of Ireland clubs too. But interest in Gaelic football was on the rise in his native county following the victorious 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final. Donegal under-21 manager Maxi Curran called McFadden, who expressed an interest in joining, and senior manager Jim McGuinness called upon him around three months afterwards. "There are no regrets there. The way Gaelic football has taken off in Donegal — I wanted to be involved", McFadden said in 2015.
Playing career
Club
McFadden reached the final of the 2013 Donegal Senior Football Championship with his club. Despite McFadden scoring a goal and pointing three frees, they lost to Glenswilly.
Inter-county
McFadden's performances for his club in that 2013 championship run drew the attention of county manager Jim McGuinness. In September 2013, McGuinness called McFadden into the senior inter-county team for winter training after McFadden scored 2-04 for his club in their 2013 Donegal Senior Football Championship quarter-final defeat of Sean Mac Cumhaills. He appeared as a substitute in the 2014 National Football League. McFadden also played in the under-21 team that lost to Cavan in the 2014 Ulster final. He remained as a panel member for the Championship campaign, as Donegal won the 2014 Ulster Senior Football Championship and advanced to the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final.
Following his appearance on the bench for 2014 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, McFadden (still eligible for the competition) played in the 2015 Ulster Under-21 Football Championship final loss to Tyrone, scoring five points (including four frees).
He started the final as Donegal secured the 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship. He had earlier scored a goal against Derry in the quarter-final.
He captained Donegal during the 2019 National Football League in the absence of the injured regular captain, Michael Murphy.
Personal life
Mr McFadden is a teacher at Scoil an Linbh Íosa, a primary school near Donegal Town.
Honours
- Donegal
- Ulster Senior Football Championship: 2014, 2018, 2019
- Ulster Under-21 Football Championship runner-up: 2015
- Na Cealla Beaga
- Donegal Senior Football Championship runner-up: 2013