McHugh first played club hurling and Gaelic football at juvenile and underage levels with Na Fianna.
He won consecutive Leinster MHC medals in 2011 and 2012 but faced defeat in the subsequent All-Ireland deciders.
McHugh also claimed a Leinster MFC medal and was at corner-forward for Dublin's defeat of Meath in the 2012 All-Ireland minor final.
[5] McHugh was a member of the extended training panel of the Dublin senior football team across seven seasons from 2015 to 2021.
He made 20 appearances across the National League and Championship but failed to break onto the team or the matchday panel.