Kevin McHugh set for 400th Harps appearance

Kevin McHugh is set to play his 400th game in the blue and white of Finn Harps on Friday evening as he and his team-mates makes the trip to Athlone Town.
In doing so, 35 year old McHugh will become just the second player to reach the 400 mark for the club – only Jonathan Minnock has done so in the past and went on to clock up 485 appearances for Harps.
McHugh made his debut for the club on 16th August 1998 when he came on as a second half substitute for Donal O’Brien in a League Cup game against Fanad United at Triagh-a-locha. And, in what would become his trademark in the years to follow, McHugh scored the first of his 180 goals for the club in the 2-0 win in the same game.
McHugh’s stats in blue could have been even more impressive had he not moved away from Harps for a four year period between 2006 and 2009 which seen him have spells at Derry City and Linfield.
Keith Cowan’s 67th minute goal was the difference between Harps and Athlonewhen they met at Finn Park earlier in the season. He is a doubt for Friday’s game along with Michael Funston and Raymond Foy. All three were substituted after they picked up knocks during Monday’s FAI Cup replay defeat to Longford.
Harps haven’t won in any of their previous four visits to Lissywollen, but had three victories in the previous four at the midlands venue prior to that. Goals should be on the menu on Friday though, as there hasn’t been a scoreless draw in any of the last 25 games between the sides.