Carl McHugh

Early career

Born in Lettermacaward, County Donegal, McHugh left Donegal club Dungloe Town to sign a scholarship with English club Reading at the age of 16. He spent loan spells at Swindon Supermarine and Dundalk. He spent one year as a professional at Reading before being released in the summer of 2012.

Bradford City

McHugh signed for Bradford City in August 2012. He made his professional debut for Bradford City on 28 August 2012, in a League Cup match against Watford. He made his debut in The Football League on 27 October 2012, coming on as a substitute in the 1–0 defeat away at Burton Albion. In November, he starred and scored an equalising header for Bradford City in their FA Cup victory over Northampton Town. Earlier that month, McHugh had been praised by his manager for his performance against Wigan Athletic in the League Cup, and he later commented that his recent spell of first-team games had been a "huge learning curve" for him. McHugh's performances were praised by teammate Rory McArdle. Following Bradford City's elimination of Aston Villa in the League Cup semi-final, McHugh was photographed waving the flag of his native county on the pitch at Villa Park. He later said, "That was the highlight of the night for me. Back in Bradford they might have thought it was the Irish flag, but they know now that it is the Donegal flag." In the run-up to the 2013 Football League Cup Final, which McHugh played in, he was cited as an "unsung hero" of the…

Having previously played for them at under-17 and under-19 levels, McHugh was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad in January 2013. He made his debut for the under-21 on 6 February 2013, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 victory over the Netherlands. McHugh was recalled to the Irish under-21 squad in March 2013, and he earned a second cap for the under-21s on 25 March 2013. He was re-called to the under-21 squad in October 2013 for two Euro Championship qualifiers.

As of match played on 8 May 2026

McHugh played Gaelic football for Na Rossa, where he was coached by All-Ireland winner Declan Bonner. He is a close friend of Donegal Gaelic footballer Patrick McBrearty. McHugh's footballing hero is Shay Given, who also comes from Donegal.