Finn Harps striker Kevin McHugh, who lost a finger in a training ground accident last week in Donegal, has announced his retirement.
McHugh, 36, was due to hang up his boots at the end of the season, but the freak accident, where his finger got caught as he was jumping over a fence, pushed his plans forward.
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"It’s not the way I had planned to say goodbye, but that's the way it is,” he told the BBC.
“The ring made a complete and utter mess of the finger, so there was nothing they could do for me.
"I was obviously hugely disappointed. They tried to recover it but it's gone now.
"I don't think I could run now at this stage, so yes, my season is completely over."
The ex-Derry player also detailed the timeline of the accident and his drive to hospital.
Op over. Unfortunately finger to badly damaged to repair properly. Thanks for all ur messages, cant reply to all. Esp with 1 hand! #Moveon pic.twitter.com/mpCPW7INTi
— Kevin McHugh #10 (@KevinMcHugh10) October 6, 2016
"Once my two feet landed on the ground it felt like there was a tug on the ring, I looked down at my hand and I saw there was no finger there.
"I looked at my club mates, Dessie McGlinchy and BJ Banda, and they were sheet white and in shock, so I knew it was bad.
"I had to hop back over the fence and bring BJ round because I needed them to coach the kids
"My first thought was that I couldn't let my own kids see my hand like this, so I knew I had to get to the car and get to the hospital quick.
"When I was in the car, I had to make a phone call to Mel, the other coach, because I realised I hadn't got the finger with me and I needed it for hospital.
"I phoned him and said: ‘Could you go back up and get my finger on top of the fence," and he said: "Are you serious?’”
Unfortunately for McHugh, attempts to reattach the digit proved unsuccessful.
