I WANT MEDALS FOR MY MATES

DARREN HUGHES wants to win an Ulster Championship for his team-mates who don’t have one.

Seamus Mcenaney’s side disposed of Down at the weekend to set up an Ulster semi-final encounter with Derry at the Athletic Grounds in 12 days time.

Hughes holds two Ulster medals from 2013 and 2015 but it’s almost seven seasons now since Monaghan’s last Anglo-celt Cup.

The only men who played a role that day who are still seeing regular action are Hughes, his younger brother Kieran, Rory Beggan, Ryan Wylie, Colin Walshe, Conor Mcmanus, Karl O’connell, Fintan Kelly and Ryan Mcanespie.

A raft of their younger players have yet to taste Ulster success.

“The biggest driver for me is most of the boys in the dressing room don’t have any Ulster medals so we want to do it for them,” said Hughes, 35.

“There are quality footballers there and it would be a big thing for them.”

Hughes (above) is among the oldest outfield players in the country still competing at Division 1 level and starting regularly for his side.

“It hasn’t come to decision-making time for me at the end of any year yet but when you are playing in Division 1 it probably makes it easier,” he said.

“But once the body is holding up and injury-free and I am contributing to the team I am happy.

“I feel in good shape and long may it continue but you just know that you are one injury away in a condensed season from having your season wiped out.

“From an Ulster Championship point of view you can’t afford to get injured because even if a team was to go the whole way the final is just in four weeks time.”