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TD flies Donegal flag in Mayo
heartland
13.09.12
TAOISEACH Enda Kenny
may be ‘the boss’ but Deputy Joe McHugh is making no
concessions to him ahead of their teams' Croke Park
showdown on September 23.
The Donegal North East TD rose under cover of
darkness on Tuesday and climbed Croagh Patrick at
dawn to plant a Donegal GAA flag on the summit of
the Mayo mountain.
McHugh left fellow TDs and senators in his wake as
he scaled the reek - accompanied by Meath deputy,
Damien English - to demonstrate his belief in Jimmy
McGuinness’ men. Fine Gael was having its party
'think-in' in Westport when a hill-walking challenge
was thrown down.
"On Tuesday morning at 5.30am I climbed the Croagh
Patrick reek and proudly planted a Donegal flag at
the top of it," said McHugh.
The father-of-two, who is married to former TD.,
Olwyn Enright, said there is plenty of good-natured
banter abounding at Leinster House with nine days to
go to the big game. But despite the Taoiseach’s
obvious status this year as All-Ireland Final
supporter-in-chief, McHugh is certainly not hiding
the green and the gold.
"Enda is the boss, but I'm not keeping the Donegal
jersey hidden." |
He also has a year-old
bet riding on the outcome. He placed a 10 euro stake
on Donegal shortly after their semi-final defeat
last year in defiance of the criticism of their
playing style.
"Watching the speed, tenacity and movement forward
of the Donegal backs last year, I felt that our team
was on the brink of success.
"When the Dáil resumed in September 2011 after our
semi-final defeat, I had to endure what I felt was
misplaced criticism of so-called negative Donegal
football from deputies from different parts of the
country.
"So I put my money where my mouth was and placed a
10 euro stake that Donegal would win the 2012
All-Ireland. I got odds of 16/1 and I still have the
slip." |
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Donegal North East TD., Joe McHugh,
plants the Donegal GAA flag on the summit of Croagh
Patrick this week. |
Meanwhile, the Fine
Gael TD said the Donegal seniors had given the
county "an amazing journey" already this year.
"The players and management deserve nothing less
than the ultimate accolade as reward for the
sacrifices that have been made." |
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