Season Preview 2017 - Finn Harps

Manager: Ollie Horgan

 

Stadium: Finn Park

 

Players in: Danny Morrissey (Cork City), Harry Doherty (Cockhill Celtic), Jonny Bonner (Wexford Youths), Killian Cantwell (Galway United), Carolan McAleer (Greenock Morton), Paddy McCourt (Glenavon).

 

Players out: Kevin McHugh (retired), Tony McNamee (Swilly Rovers), Richard Brush, Ryan McConnell (Ballinamallard United).

 

 

Extratime.ie Key Man: Sean Houston



 

The Letterkenny man netted seven times in all competitions for the Ballybofey men last season helping Harps avoid the relegation battle quite comfortably. The midfielder enters his second season with Finn Harps in what is his second spell with the club in a number of years. Making 27 appearances last season he proved just how important he is to Ollie Horgan’s side scoring five times.

 

He handed Harps a massive boost in February when he signed a new contract at the club after Galway and St. Patricks Athletic both registered an interest in Finn Harps' player of the season last year. Harps have lost Kevin McHugh though retirement, who provided the club with an abundance of experience, so Houston will be relied on heavily this coming season to spur on Horgan’s young Harps side.

 

 



Extratime.ie One to Watch: Paddy McCourt

The former Derry City and Celtic man shouldn’t be in One to Watch section, as any Irish football fan should already know about his incredible footballing ability. But the Derry Pele hasn’t had the consistency he would have liked recently and he will look to get back to winning form at Finn Park.

 

Having signed for Glenavon last summer the winger only made 12 appearances and scored once. After struggling to adapt to part-time football, McCourt called it quits in December and the club and himself mutually agreed to end his contract. In fact, McCourt shouldn’t be known for his goal scoring record as the former Scottish league champion has only scored 39 times in 364 appearances in all competitions and has only scored five goals in his last four seasons. But when he does get a goal you can be sure it is something special.

 

Even at 33 years old, McCourt will still have plenty to offer the Harps attacking line and if he can find his top form again then Harps may just avoid the drop. Having experience in a team such as Harps is pivotal to their season and acquiring McCourt's is a top signing for the club and something the fans can get excited about.  

 

 

 

 

 

How they did last season:

 

League: 10th

 

The Harps just managed to avoid the relegation battle last season after a number of poor results almost got Horgan’s men into hot water. The Ballbofey side went from July to October without a win, losing ten matches on the bounce in what was certainly relegation form. A 5-0 defeat at Finn Park to rivals Derry City wouldn’t have left many of the home support happy and surely has left a bitter taste in many a mouths to date. Luckily for the Donegal side, Wexford Youths and Longford Town managed even worse form and that was Harps saving grace in the end. Harps did go on a good run towards the back of the season, only getting beaten once, against Cork City, in what was a silver lining to a troubled season.

 

FAI Cup: Round of 16

 

The Donegal side will want to forget all about their FAI Cup run last season as they were embarrassingly put to the sword by non-league side Crumlin United. Harps conceded 11 goals in two games before this match and their season was going from bad to worse as they let slip another goal to Crumlin just after half time. To make matters worse for Horgan and his side, Barry Molly was sent off for a second bookable offence. The manager will surely look to improve on that result for this season and give the fans something to cheer about.

 

EA Sports Cup: Second Round

 

This EA Sports Cup tie was a grueling one for Harps as they played against a Galway United side for 120 minutes in a very scrappy affair. Horgan’s men were lacking in options up front and found it very difficult to break the deadlock. They didn’t have a lot to do on the either end of the pitch either, as Galway United lacked quality too. After 120 minutes Galway won on penalties as Harps could only manage to convert two of their attempts.

 

 

What to expect this season:

 

Finn Harps didn’t have the greatest of squads last season, but they have managed to recruit well in the transfer market so far. If they can manage to put a run of good results together this season and avoid a long losing streak like they had last season, they may just do better than a lot of people are predicting.

 

One thing Harps did well last season was consistency. The bad news for Harps, Horgan and the Harps faithful was it wasn’t the good kind of consistency. Losing 10 on the bounce this season could be catastrophic for the Ballybofey side and they will go down. That will require Horgan to tighten Harps up defensively, but whether he can do that or not is another thing.

 

Another big challenge for Ollie Horgan will be the Danny Morrissey situation. Morrissey scored 10 times in 27 appearances for Cork City in 2013 but has failed to find that form since. If Horgan can keep McCourt and Morrissey fit consistently then they may have something special.

 

 

Title Odds: 500/1.

 

First game: Cork City (away), Friday, February 24th (kick-off 8pm).

 

 

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