Vinny Corey devastated at Darren Hughes' injury as Monaghan fall to Cavan

Monaghan boss Vinny Corey says it was devastating to see talisman Darren Hughes stretchered off in today’s Ulster preliminary round defeat by Cavan at Clones.

Hughes was one of three players hurt in a 42nd minute collision at St. Tiernach’s Park that resulted in a seven minute delay for treatment.

The Scotstown man had a couple of big first half turnovers and was a major influence on the game at the time.

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The full extent of the injury is not yet known.

Corey said: “He’s away to hospital. That’s the big loss out of it.

“This is Darren’s 18th season and to see him go off like that there is devastating.

“Whatever about the result, we just hope that whatever injury he has got, isn’t a bad one.”

Corey didn’t pick Rory Beggan in his side for the match programme.

But the All Star goalkeeper started after his return from a stint in America at NFL training camps and trials.

Beggan came in for Darren McDonnell and kicked three points.

But he also saw three goals fly past him in a 3-12 to 1-12 defeat as Cavan kicked on in the final quarter with goals from Padraig Faulkner, Gerry Smith and Paddy Lynch.

The Scotstown man hasn’t landed an NFL contract, but it could still happen for him, with Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth signing a three year deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Corey said: “It’s one of those situations. We never had it before so we are just going to have to manage it week by week until the situation might change.

“He’s a special sort of keeper, isn’t he? He was excellent again today. If there was any doubt that he should have started, that was dealt with as I thought he was outstanding.

“If you have a player like that at your disposal, you use him.”

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