League Preview: Finn Harps

Manager: Ollie Horgan

Stadium:Finn Park 

2019 Players in: Sam Todd (Derry City), Daniel O'Reilly (Longford Town), Sam Verdon (Longford Town), Caolan McAleer (Sligo Rovers), Raffaele Cretaro (Sligo Rovers), Harry Ascroft (Balzan, Malta), Tony McNamee (Swilly Rovers).

2019 Players out: Aidan Friel (Shelbourne), Ciaran Coll (Derry City), Paddy McCourt (Retired) 

extratime.ie Key Man: Keith Cowan 

The captain of the club, Cowan is one of the more experienced heads in a relatively young Finn Harps squad for the 2019 season. Only he, Gareth Harkin and new arrival Raffaele Cretaro are over the age of 30 and his leadership at the back will prove vital if Harps are to survive the Premier Division this year. 

Cowan is Harps’ longest serving player currently in the squad, having made his debut in 2005. A small two year break back at Swilly Rovers was the only time he spent away from Finn Park. His ability in the air will be utilised at both ends of the pitch, as Cowan scored an impressive four goals in the First Division last year. 

The 33-year-old will play a key role in what will likely be a back five, as Harps look to retain their new Premier status, alongside the likes of Sam Todd, who returns on a permanent basis from Derry City, and new arrivals Harry Ascroft and Daniel O’ Reilly at the heart of Harps’ defence. 

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Caolan McAleer

McAleer is another player who is returning to Ollie Horgan’s side after taking a hiatus elsewhere the season before, playing for Sligo Rovers in the Premier Division last year. 



The Omagh born winger spent the first few years as a senior player in Scotland, playing for the likes of Partick Thistle and East Fife, before returning to the League of Ireland in 2016 to play for Horgan when Harps were last in the Premier Division. 

McAleer played a total of 31 times for Sligo in the league last year, hitting the net four times. The 25-year-old will be hoping he can have a major influence in the attacking lines for Finn Harps as they look to avoid relegation. 

McAleer will be a key attacking threat for Ollie Horgan along with Sam Verdon and Nathan Boyle. The 25-year-old will look to use his experience playing in the Premier Division last year to contribute goals and assists from wide positions this year. 

How they did last season:

League: 2ndin First Division

The extratime.ie team was spot on with the prediction last year that Harps would finish 2ndin the First Division. 



Harps were only three points off winners UCD, although they had been a long way behind the Dublin outfit for most of the season. 

Harps made a good start to the season before dropping off in form. Horgan managed to rally his troops, though, and they surged their way to the playoff spots and ultimately finished second. 

In the playoffs, they faced Drogheda United, who had overcome Shelbourne in the previous matchup, to advance to play Limerick. Drogheda had handed Harps their first loss of the season. 

Harps took a 1-1 draw back to Donegal where they wen on to win 3-1 on aggregate. Two weeks later, Harps were officially promoted with a 3-0 aggregate win in Paddy McCourt’s last game before leaving to be an underage coach Derry City. 

FAI Cup: 2nd Round

Harps were drawn with Bray Wanderers for the first round of the FAI Cup and they took full advantage of the off-field struggles the Wicklow side were facing, winning 3-1 after extra time away to progress to the next round. 

Unfortunately for Ollie Horgan’s men, they met Dundalk in the second round. Stephen Kenny’s side were comfortable 2-0 winners at Oriel Park

EA Sports Cup: 2ndRound

Harps seemed to be in control in their first round tie against Mayo League, 4-0 up after 55 minutes. They let the non-league side back into the match however and were lucky to escape with a 4-3 win. 

They lifted their game for the second round game against Derry City, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Premier Division outfit in a North West derby, with Derry coming away from Finn Park with a 2-1 victory. 

What to expect this season:

It will be a tough season for Finn Harps on their return to the Premier Division. Ollie Horgan will look to try keep it tight at the back, more often than not playing five defenders as they did against Drogheda in pre-season. 

They have lost the quality that Paddy McCourt brought to the squad, but the signing of a proven Premier Division striker in Raffaele Cretaro will help. Even if the Sligo legend is 37-years-old, he still made 25 appearances last season, scoring three goals as he mostly came off the bench. 

The departure of long time player Ciaran Coll will be a big blow though, having been at the club since 2009. Coll has been a key player at left back for Harps over the years, helping them get promotion in 2015 and 2018. 

They have, however, made some important signings, with Sam Todd returning from Derry City, this time on a permanent basis, and Daniel O’ Reilly from Longford giving the defence a boost in depth and quality. 

Harry Ascroft joins from Maltese club Balzan, linking back up with Jacob Borg and they could form an important connection in defence. Meanwhile, Sam Verdon and a returning Caolan McAleer will add some pace and excitement from the wings.

Tony McNamee returns to the club as well from Swilly Rovers to add some depth in the middle of the Park, as Horgan prepares his side for a tough campaign. 

Harps’ goal for the 2019 campaign will be to avoid an immediate return to the First Division, but that will be tough ask with the quality of the teams around them. The experience of captain Keith Cowan, Gareth Harkin and the aforementioned Cretaro will be needed to lead the otherwise very young squad through the season. 

Title Odds:500/1

First game:vs Bohemians (Away) 15thFebruary

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