BOSS HAILS RETIRING FARNEY STALWART HUGHES

MONAGHAN boss Gabriel Bannigan has hailed retiring stalwart Darren Hughes as "a man who would literally stand on his head for the good of Monaghan football." Hughes - the oldest outfield player in this year's All-Ireland series has retired after a remarkable 20-year senior intercounty career with Monaghan.

- BY KARL O'KANE

Hughes (38) made his debut in 2006, featuring in a Tommy Murphy Cup encounter.

He was still good enough to enter the fray for the final 11 minutes of this year's All-Ireland quarter-final defeat by Donegal at Croke Park.

The Scotstown man won two Ulster Championships (2013 and 2015) under Malachy O'Rourke and lined out for Ireland in the International Rules series.

Hughes was a goalkeeper in his younger days and famously lined out between the posts in an Ulster Championship game for Seamus McEneaney in 2010.

At the time he was playing full back, but with Monaghan's regular goalie injured, rather than select their second choice, they went with Hughes.

Hughes (below) went on to develop into Monaghan's midfield general for over a decade.

In a statement, released through Monaghan GAA, Gabriel Bannigan said: "I cannot speak highly enough of Darren Hughes as a player and person.