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Philip Hughes (Irish footballer)
Encyclopedia
Philip Hughes is an Irish
footballer currently playing for League of Ireland
First Division club Shelbourne
. Hughes plays as a centre forward.
during the 1999–00 season, scoring nine goals in 22 appearances. His performances at intermediate level did not go unnoticed when he made the step up to League of Ireland
football with St. Francis
at the beginning of the 2000–01 season. Hughes was snapped up by St. Patrick's Athletic later that season. First team opportunities at Richmond Park
became difficult to obtain for Hughes resulting in his departure on loan to First Division Kilkenny City during the 2001–02 season. Hughes scored 15 goals in 20 games for Kilkenny that season. His impressive form with Kilkenny saw him immediately recalled to St. Patrick's Athletic, but yet again first team opportunities were limited for Hughes.
for the first summer soccer season of 2003. He became a regular in the county side that season helping them to a fifth place finish in the First Division with a contribution of 10 goals in 33 league appearances. Hughes departed County after that season to join Dublin City
, who had achieved promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Division for the 2004 season. It was a difficult season for Hughes as scored just three goals in 20 appearances for the struggling Vikings, and he was initially released along with 14 other players by new Dublin City manager Roddy Collins
in a mid-season cull. Hughes joined First Division UCD
on loan for the remainder of the 2004 season, where he scored three goals in 12 appearances to help the Students to promotion to the Premier Division.
at First Division promotion chasing Dundalk
. Hughes made his Dundalk debut on the first day of the 2006 season in a 2–1 defeat away to Shamrock Rovers
at Tolka Park
on 10 March 2006. He went on to score 21 goals that season for the Lilywhites helping them to a second place finish and a play-off victory over Waterford United. Despite that victory Dundalk did not achieve promotion as they failed to qualify on criteria for the FAI's revamped Premier Division. Hughes' 2006 season attracted interest from numerous Premier Division clubs including Bohemians
, but despite this interest, Hughes chose to remain at Dundalk for the 2007 First Division season. The 2007 campaign started brightly for Hughes and Dundalk as they set the pace in the First Division up to the mid-season point. Hughes lost form and struggled for fitness for the remainder of the season and his goal tally was only at six goals by the end of the season.
on 29 November 2007. He made his Shelbourne debut in a scoreless draw against his former club Dundalk at Tolka Park on 7 March 2008. Hughes once again struggled for fitness at Shelbourne and as a consequence he was restricted to mainly substitute appearances. He departed the club on 14 July 2008, after just half a season to rejoin his former club Kildare County
. Following the conclusion of the 2008 season, Hughes departed Kildare County to join Leinster Senior League Senior Division outfit Phoenix FC but the striker returned to County on 4 June 2009 for a third spell. Despite playing in a struggling Kildare team at the foot of the First Division, Hughes recaptured his goalscoring touch in his third spell at County scoring 7 goals in 19 league appearances. Kildare County went into liquidation shortly before their final game of 2009 against Shelbourne and following the resignation of Kildare manager Joey Summerville, Hughes took the managers role for the Thoroughbreds final game in football.
.
At the end of 2010 season Hughes once again moved club this time joining Monaghan United teammate Barry Clancy
at Shelbourne
for his second spell at the Tolka Park
club.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
footballer currently playing for League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
First Division club Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
. Hughes plays as a centre forward.
Early career
Hughes, a talented and much travelled player, began his football career with Tolka RoversTolka Rovers F.C.
Tolka Rovers F.C. are an amateur Irish football club based in Glasnevin, Dublin. They play in the Leinster Senior League and finished 6th in the 2006-07 season. They play at Frank Cooke Park and wear red shirts with white sleeves. The club's junior teams play at Johnstown Park...
during the 1999–00 season, scoring nine goals in 22 appearances. His performances at intermediate level did not go unnoticed when he made the step up to League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
football with St. Francis
St. Francis F.C.
St Francis F.C. is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. Founded in The Liberties, St. Francis currently play in John Hyland Park Baldonnel, close to Clondalkin, a suburb in west Dublin. They played in the League of Ireland from the 1996/97 season until the end of the 2000/01 season. They...
at the beginning of the 2000–01 season. Hughes was snapped up by St. Patrick's Athletic later that season. First team opportunities at Richmond Park
Richmond Park
Richmond Park is a 2,360 acre park within London. It is the largest of the Royal Parks in London and Britain's second largest urban walled park after Sutton Park, Birmingham. It is close to Richmond, Ham, Kingston upon Thames, Wimbledon, Roehampton and East Sheen...
became difficult to obtain for Hughes resulting in his departure on loan to First Division Kilkenny City during the 2001–02 season. Hughes scored 15 goals in 20 games for Kilkenny that season. His impressive form with Kilkenny saw him immediately recalled to St. Patrick's Athletic, but yet again first team opportunities were limited for Hughes.
Kildare County, Dublin City and UCD
Hughes departed St. Pats at the end of the 2002–03 campaign, to join Kildare CountyKildare County F.C.
Kildare County F.C. was an Irish football club that played in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 2002, hailed from Newbridge, County Kildare and played their home matches at Station Road. Their club colours were white and black.- 2001/2002 :...
for the first summer soccer season of 2003. He became a regular in the county side that season helping them to a fifth place finish in the First Division with a contribution of 10 goals in 33 league appearances. Hughes departed County after that season to join Dublin City
Dublin City F.C.
Dublin City Football Club was an Irish association football club that played in the League of Ireland. They were formed in 1999 after a split within Home Farm Everton and they originally played as Home Farm Fingal before changing their name for the 2001–02 season...
, who had achieved promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Division for the 2004 season. It was a difficult season for Hughes as scored just three goals in 20 appearances for the struggling Vikings, and he was initially released along with 14 other players by new Dublin City manager Roddy Collins
Roddy Collins
Roderick 'Roddy' Collins , is a Irish former professional football player and current manager of Monaghan United. He has also worked as a television pundit, and is the brother of acclaimed former boxer, Steve Collins....
in a mid-season cull. Hughes joined First Division UCD
University College Dublin A.F.C.
University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have...
on loan for the remainder of the 2004 season, where he scored three goals in 12 appearances to help the Students to promotion to the Premier Division.
Monaghan United and Dundalk
Hughes' next destination was First Division Monaghan United for the 2005 season. He scored eight goals in 25 appearances that season for the Mons' before joining his former manager at Kilkenny, Kildare and Dublin City, John GillJohn Gill
John Gill may refer to:John Gill, reverend at Church of the Savior, a UCC church in Knoxville, TN* John Gill , English Baptist minister and Calvinist theologian...
at First Division promotion chasing Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
. Hughes made his Dundalk debut on the first day of the 2006 season in a 2–1 defeat away to Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
at Tolka Park
Tolka Park
Tolka Park is an Irish football ground located in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra, on the northern banks of the River Tolka. It is currently the home ground of League of Ireland club Shelbourne...
on 10 March 2006. He went on to score 21 goals that season for the Lilywhites helping them to a second place finish and a play-off victory over Waterford United. Despite that victory Dundalk did not achieve promotion as they failed to qualify on criteria for the FAI's revamped Premier Division. Hughes' 2006 season attracted interest from numerous Premier Division clubs including Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
, but despite this interest, Hughes chose to remain at Dundalk for the 2007 First Division season. The 2007 campaign started brightly for Hughes and Dundalk as they set the pace in the First Division up to the mid-season point. Hughes lost form and struggled for fitness for the remainder of the season and his goal tally was only at six goals by the end of the season.
Shelbourne and Kildare County
Hughes was released by Dundalk immediately after the conclusion of the 2007 season, but he did not wait long to find a new club when he joined ShelbourneShelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
on 29 November 2007. He made his Shelbourne debut in a scoreless draw against his former club Dundalk at Tolka Park on 7 March 2008. Hughes once again struggled for fitness at Shelbourne and as a consequence he was restricted to mainly substitute appearances. He departed the club on 14 July 2008, after just half a season to rejoin his former club Kildare County
Kildare County F.C.
Kildare County F.C. was an Irish football club that played in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 2002, hailed from Newbridge, County Kildare and played their home matches at Station Road. Their club colours were white and black.- 2001/2002 :...
. Following the conclusion of the 2008 season, Hughes departed Kildare County to join Leinster Senior League Senior Division outfit Phoenix FC but the striker returned to County on 4 June 2009 for a third spell. Despite playing in a struggling Kildare team at the foot of the First Division, Hughes recaptured his goalscoring touch in his third spell at County scoring 7 goals in 19 league appearances. Kildare County went into liquidation shortly before their final game of 2009 against Shelbourne and following the resignation of Kildare manager Joey Summerville, Hughes took the managers role for the Thoroughbreds final game in football.
Return to Monaghan United and Shelbourne
On 21 December 2009 it was announced by Monaghan United that Hughes would be returning to the club for a second spell in the 2010 season. Hughes carried forward his recaptured form in 2009 to Monaghan as he scored an impressive 22 goals in 44 competitive games. However Hughes' goalscoring touch could not prevent Monaghan narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier Division after a play-off defeat to Bray WanderersBray Wanderers A.F.C.
Bray Wanderers A.F.C. are an Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1942 and elected to the League in 1985, hails from Bray and play their home matches at the Carlisle Grounds. Club colours are Green and White, and it goes by the nickname...
.
At the end of 2010 season Hughes once again moved club this time joining Monaghan United teammate Barry Clancy
Barry Clancy
Barry Clancy is an Irish footballer who plays as a winger for League of Ireland First Division club Shelbourne.-Kildare County:...
at Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
for his second spell at the Tolka Park
Tolka Park
Tolka Park is an Irish football ground located in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra, on the northern banks of the River Tolka. It is currently the home ground of League of Ireland club Shelbourne...
club.