Early career Born in
Lettermacaward,
County Donegal, McHugh left Donegal club Dungloe Town to sign a scholarship with English club
Reading at the age of 16. He spent loan spells at
Swindon Supermarine and
Dundalk. He spent one year as a professional at Reading before being released in the summer of 2012.
Bradford City McHugh signed for
Bradford City in August 2012. He made his professional debut for Bradford City on 28 August 2012, in a League Cup match against
Watford. He made his debut in
The Football League on 27 October 2012, coming on as a substitute in the 1–0 defeat away at Burton Albion. Earlier that month, McHugh had been praised by his manager for his performance against Wigan Athletic in the League Cup, and he later commented that his recent spell of first-team games had been a "huge learning curve" for him. McHugh's performances were praised by teammate
Rory McArdle. Following Bradford City's elimination of
Aston Villa in the League Cup semi-final, McHugh was photographed waving the flag of his native county on the pitch at
Villa Park. He later said, "That was the highlight of the night for me. Back in Bradford they might have thought it was the Irish flag, but they know now that it is the Donegal flag." In the run-up to the
2013 Football League Cup Final, which McHugh played in, he was cited as an "unsung hero" of the Bradford City team. In the latter stages of the 2012–13 season, he began to be played more as a
left-back. In June 2013, McHugh was praised by former Bradford City left-back
Wayne Jacobs. In July 2013, McHugh signed a new one-year contract with Bradford City, and later that month he spoke about his fight to become a first-team member in the forthcoming season. In November 2013, McHugh publicly spoke about his lack of first-team football. By 17 January 2014, however, he had played three of the club's last four games, and he credited a sports psychologist for helping him regain his first-team spot.
Plymouth Argyle On 16 June 2014, McHugh signed a two-year contract with
Plymouth Argyle. He played 50 games for Plymouth in his first season at the club, mainly at centre-back alongside Peter Hartley and Curtis Nelson. During the 2014–15 season Plymouth had one of the best defensive records in the league. Following the arrival of new Plymouth manager Derek Adams in the summer of 2015, McHugh was moved further up the field into a midfield role. He played all season in midfield, earning a lot of praise for his performances throughout the season.
Motherwell On 5 July 2016, McHugh signed a two-year contract with
Motherwell. His signing was met with much controversy, signing for Motherwell despite previously agreeing terms to extend his contract with previous club Plymouth Argyle in writing. McHugh suffered a serious head injury – a two inch deep gash above his right eye – on the opening day of the
season against
Kilmarnock on 6 August 2016. Motherwell manager
Mark McGhee later said that the nature of the injury meant the club could not put a timescale on McHugh's return. He made his comeback on 28 December 2016, away to
Inverness Caledonian Thistle. On 4 February 2017, McHugh was sent off during a Scottish Premiership match with
Hearts following a challenge on
Don Cowie. Motherwell went on to lose the game 3–0, with Mark McGhee blaming the McHugh red card for losing the game. On 4 March 2017, he scored his first Motherwell goal in a 2–1 win away to Kilmarnock. In June 2017 it was announced that McHugh would be Motherwell's new captain, before signing a new two-year contract with the club on 27 July 2017. Ahead of the
2018–19 season McHugh gave up his role as captain, saying it was best for both himself and the club.
ATK In May 2019 McHugh signed for Indian club
ATK. He scored on his debut. He said he chose to play in India because of its improving standards. McHugh's debut season with ATK ended early for him due to injury, although the club secured the ISL championship title.
Mohun Bagan He joined
ATK Mohun Bagan after ATK merged with
Mohun Bagan in 2020. With the club, he began 2022–23 season on 20 August 2022 against
Rajasthan United at the
131st edition of
Durand Cup as his team lost the match 3–2.
Goa On 28 July 2023, McHugh signed for
Goa after he mutually parted ways with Mohun Bagan. In September 2025 he was rumoured to be joining
Chennaiyin.
Sligo Rovers On 17 November 2025, it was announced that McHugh would sign for
League of Ireland Premier Division club
Sligo Rovers on a two-year-contract, from the 2026 season. ==International career==