McHugh in quest for happy medium

Sitting civil engineering exams which begin next Monday would be enough to occupy the mind of most students, but for St Mary's College outhalf Mark McHugh, there is the small matter of the AIL Division One final against Lansdowne at Lansdowne Road with which to contend.

McHugh literally drifts between study, training and matches. In his first season since joining from Dublin University, McHugh has settled quickly, initially in the centre then for the last five matches at outhalf. The conundrum facing coach Brent Pope is where to play McHugh on Saturday.

He started the semi-final against Ballymena at outhalf yet finished the game in midfield due to an injury to Ray McIlreavy. The likelihood is that he will wear the number 10 jersey. Any preference? "I have enjoyed playing at outhalf for the last five or six games, so I would have a preference to play there. But in the long term, I'm not so sure where my future lies."

Life at Templeville Road has been enjoyable and offered him not alone an opportunity to play at the pinnacle of the club game but earlier this season a call-up into the Leinster ranks. "I have absolutely loved my time at Mary's. The funny thing was that I played European Cup before I played an All-Ireland League Division One game."

His tenure with the province graced both the highs and lows. "I felt that I deserved my chance when Barry (Everitt) wasn't playing well. I came in for the Leicester match and kicked very well but I didn't play well in the Glasgow (away) and Stade Francais (away) matches and I deserved to be dropped. Emmet (Farrell) played some excellent rugby and deserved to stay in the team.

"For me the important thing was to continue believing in my own ability. I didn't need to read any newspaper to tell me whether I had played well or not." Leinster coach Mike Ruddock has given McHugh a similar parttime provincial contract for next season, allowing him to continue his studies next season.

His versatility has offered mixed blessings. "I suppose it is good in the respect that it places you in demand for the bench, given that you can offer several options. But like any player you would prefer to be chosen because you were better than anyone else in that position."

St Mary's have occasionally been accused of ignoring the latent talent of their back three, John McWeeney, Denis Hickie and Peter McKenna, in favour of a more forward dominated game. McHugh concedes that they should have been more expansive at times. "I think that's fair. We should have used the ball more.

"In fairness that's partially down to me in that I should have demanded the ball. We have also been hampered by teams identifying the strength of Denis, John and Peter and shooting up to close down our inside three and cut off the supply. There's a happy medium that we will hopefully discover on Saturday.

"Lansdowne were very impressive the last day, although I felt Terenure seemed to freeze a bit on the day. They couldn't cope with Lansdowne's aggressive rucking. Lansdowne have already beaten us this season so we are not under any illusions."

McHugh's importance to St Mary's extends far beyond his prowess with the placed ball. He is an excellent defender, a good line-kicker and reads the game intelligently. Templeville Road's Mr Versatile won't care whether it's outhalf or centre that he is designated to play as long as St Mary's win. The tag is set to stay for a little while longer.

Lansdowne: G D'Arcy; R Niland, G Hamilton, S Horgan, R Dolan; B Everitt, D O'Mahony (capt); R Corrigan, O Ennis, A McKeen; G Quinn, B Cusack; A McCullen, C McEntee, L Toland.

Ireland Schools (to tour Australia, July 26th-August 23rd): D O'Riordan (Rockwell), S Young (Campbell), M Canning (CBC Cork), A Maxwell (RBAI), G Duffy (Roscrea, capt), G Mitchell (Campbell), K Lucey (CBC Cork), E Hickey (DLS Churchtown), I Humphries (Ballymena Academy), C Quaid (CBC Cork), F Murphy (CBC Cork), F O'Loughlin (Ard Scoil Ris), J Lyne (Castleknock), G Kendrick (RBAI), J Danagher (Blackrock), E McGovern (Crescent), R Best (Portadown), C Tucker (St Munchin's), M Carroll (Blackrock), S Keogh (St Munchin's), M McCullough (Ballymena Academy), D Leamy (Rockwell), D O'Neill (PBC Cork), J O'Connor (Crescent), R Wilson (RBAI), S Jennings (St Mary's). Manager: B McGonigle (Friends); coach: K Patton (RS Dungannon); assistant coach: B Byrne (Gonzaga); doctor: E Fogarty; physiotherapist: D Lyons.