Former All-Ireland winner Martin McHugh has expressed his shock and sadness following the shock departures of Rory Gallagher and Maxi Curran from the Donegal management staff and says he’s disappointed at how everything has turned so sour in the last 12 months. 
McHugh has two sons on the current county panel and is better placed than most to know the effects the shock departures of Maxi Curran and in particular Rory Gallagher’s will have on the current county panel.
Gallagher has played a crucial role in the development of Donegal over the years, but while McHugh is saddened by the departures he is also dismayed at how things have turned so sour since 12 months ago when the county was buzzing with excitement for the All-Ireland final.
McHugh said, “Go back 12 months and this was a special time for Donegal football. The county was absolutely buzzing with excitement ahead of the All-Ireland final against Mayo.
“Everyone was on the hunt for tickets, people were travelling from all corners of the world to attend the game, there was a real sense it was Donegal’s time.
“The team of course delivered but fast forward to a year later and everything has turned sour, and there is now a negativity back around the county panel and it’s desperately disappointing.
“A Ulster final defeat to Monaghan and a crushing defeat to Mayo has left many scratching their heads as to what has gone wrong.
“The news Jim was staying on was absolutely fantastic but now following the dismissal of Rory, Maxi and Franice a cloud has been drawn over the whole set-up again.
“It’s sad the way things have worked out but people can’t lose sight of the bigger picture and that is that the greater good of Donegal football matters and nothing else.
“Gallagher played a massive role in winning back to back Ulster titles and an All-Ireland and that should never be forgotten.