‘Lines have been crossed’: Kevin McHugh speaks out after Finn Harps departure

Kevin McHugh has broken his silence on his departure from Finn Harps, saying that “lines have been crossed” in recent times.

In a statement released on Sunday night, Harps announced the news, but the club legend has taken issue with the actions of some personnel at the club.

Having worked under difficult circumstances, McHugh has spoken out at what he says has been a lack of “honesty, decency and support” from within Finn Park.

McHugh was elevated to the Finn Park hot seat in April 2025 following the departure of Darren Murphy.

Since 2017, he has been the Head of the Finn Harps Academy, doubling up with his first team manager’s duties over the last 15 months.

In a statement to Donegal Daily, McHugh said: “Here, after nearly three decades, I am well hardened to the mayhem and nonsense that happens around this club in a normal season, and how you have to just roll sleeves up and get on with things.

“I was more than prepared to take a hit in-terms of my own reputation for the club with two hands tied behind my back whilst doubling up with first team and academy roles to help us in a tough period.

“Having pieced things together over the past few days, lines have been crossed way beyond what I am prepared to let slide.”

McHugh, who scored 186 goals in 439 games across two spells as a player at Harps, says he is well aware of the “ugly nature of football” but says he is “extremely disappointed” in the behaviour of some people at Finn Park.

He said: “I am extremely disappointed in the chairman and a few of his close board members that are supposed to be directing this football club.

“Their behaviour over the past few weeks in particular, because of the lack of honesty, decency and the lack of support shown towards myself and my staff during a period when we needed it most.”

Harps have had a difficult spell on the pitch and recently dropped to the bottom of the First Division. McHugh had said that he was willing to ride the waves with a potentially brighter future on the horizon under a prospective new owner.

In the last six weeks, Harps lost Max Johnston, Idir Zerrouk, Perrault Tokam, Daniel De Lacerda and Temi Ajibola. McHugh saw his budget cut drastically.

The 46-year-old says that that while he did not want to wash dirty linen in public, he believes he has been forced to “show support for my staff who have shown nothing but full on commitment, professionalism and dignity throughout all of this and deserved much better treatment from the people involved.”

He said: “Lesser men would have walked months ago with the conditions we were left in to compete at this level.

“We had too much time for the players and supporters who showed up to Finn Park and away grounds each week to walk out on them. People deserve better.”

McHugh has held talks with prospective new owner Freddy Gonzalez since leaving his role as first team manager.

The Filipino entrepreneur’s bid to take over the club is expected to be put to the shareholders in the coming weeks.

McHugh has indicated that there would be “complete change within the club” were Gonzalez’s buy-out to be given the green light.

Although Harps’ statement said that McHugh would take up a new role “as part of the club's transition to a professional structure”, the Killea native says nothing has been firmed up in that regard.

McHugh said: “(Freddy) stepped me through his short and long-term plans and he also understands I need time to assess everything before discussing any potential roles he has planned for me.

“Whether I decide to be part of this journey or not, there is certainly exciting times ahead for this brilliant football club when Freddie does come on-board.

“What I can also say, is the direction the club will go under him is hugely positive and what I like most, he has complete clarity in his plans.”

McHugh, who made his Harps senior debut in August 1998 against Fanad United in a League Cup tie, added: “I am delighted for each and every fan, current and past volunteer and staff members who have gone through the mill in some shape or form down through the years for this club, to eventually, in their lifetime be hopefully be able to watch Finn Harps FC come out of survival mode and into development mode.”

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