Ryan McHugh has cottoned onto a simple choice that makes it easier to play inter-county football

There's nothing like a serious as hell Sigerson Cup campaign to ease yourself into another massive GAA year.

Ryan McHugh was studying Business in Sligo I.T last year but transferred up to Jordanstown to see out the final year of his course. It is very much a family affair up at the Ulster University, with his father Martin McHugh coaching the footballers. And, sure, while he is up there, McHugh might as well pitch in with the UUJ footballers as they seek to claim some Sigerson glory. As the Donegal footballer explained to Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour, it certainly makes for a full diary.

"I had exams after Christmas there. It was tough there for a time, trying to balance it all out, but you just need good time management and co-operative [GAA] managers, as well, who understand what you are going through. It's not easy but you have to be on top of everything. "January and February is a tough time for footballers, especially if you are playing Sigerson football, but it's just about trying to keep it all together. Studies have to come first, to be honest. Football won't go on forever so you have to be fit to get some sort of degree or something out of it at the end of the day. Study has to be the priority. It's not easy to find that balance but I'm trying my best."

Throw in the odd All Star jaunt and those study assignments don't half pile up too. Before your heart completely goes out to the 22-year-old inter-county star, consider that his current circumstances are probably a lot handier than many of his older, jobbing Donegal teamates. Asked by Parkinson if he had 'figured out' that student life aided inter-county careers, McHugh joked, "Ha, I don't know about that!" He added:

"I'm lucky enough up here. College life is good enough life as a footballer. You do have that extra bit of time on your hands and you finish up around two or three o'clock so you do get off and away that wee bit earlier for training. "I'm lucky enough with the way I've been scheduled in college. I'm off on Friday so I get to go home on a Friday and rest a wee rest. From that, footballing, point of view, it is that bit easier."

As he previously pointed out, the downsides are the hours of study, assignments and exams but, overall, he is counting his blessings. "If you could be a student your whole life, that'd be the way," he remarked, "but the only problem is that you'll have to go out into the big, bad world at some stage."