Ollie Horgan: ‘We didn’t do egos [at Finn Harps]. We did the hard work and didn’t believe in any arrogance.'

Ollie Horgan

Ollie Horgan Credit: Clare McCahill (ETPhotos)

Having managed Fanad United, the Republic of Ireland schoolboys and Finn Harps with distinction, Ollie Horgan currently brings his managerial experience and unique style to his hometown club Galway United, as assistant to John Caulfield.

While simultaneously overseeing the Irish schoolboys side, Horgan led Donegal outfit Fanad United to Ulster Senior League and USL League Cup success, in addition to entering a team in the National League A Championship and one at U-19 level.

Reflecting on his managerial career with extratime.com this week, Horgan said: “At the time applying for permanent national league status was probably the progressive step – by trying to better ourselves and play at the highest standard possible, but for the financial side, with travel and all that.

"The A Championship went away a year after we went in it. The U-19s stayed in their league for a few more years. They got great experience on a national level that they wouldn’t have had otherwise. It was usually enjoyable, but probably ran its course, whether we were amateur or not.”

Harps

Despite the silverware and national exposure, it still came as something of a surprise when Horgan replaced Peter Hutton as Finn Harps manager in late 2013, getting the role ahead of a few more well-known figures, who were also in the running.

“I was straight up. I didn’t promise anything that I thought we couldn’t deliver. There were some great people there with a similar outlook. The success we had was down to hard work rather than anything else. We didn’t make a hullabaloo about anything. We just got on with it and it worked.”

With Ballybofey being a little isolated, in League of Ireland terms, the talent pool not as deep as found in more populated areas, a manager had to be persistent, persuasive and perhaps a good salesman to attract the right footballers to come and play at Finn Park.

“It was a difficult ask. We took in a lot of players from around the country and from different countries. I found lads from around the country the most difficult to get. In the last 12 months we had to take in too many and I hold my hand up that I didn’t get enough of the recruits right.

"All the past Finn Harps managers had a similar problem getting people to come in. When you’re in the First Division it’s even more difficult, regardless of budgets etc.”



Two promotions and seasons spent staying in the Premier Division with a small budget, meant that Horgan had to get his squad performing consistently to compete with the more fancied domestic clubs.

“We didn’t do egos. We did the hard work and didn’t believe in any arrogance. Those qualities didn’t stand to us last year because we got relegated. Also what Finn Harps had was a support group of people that were fully and entirely behind the club.

"On and off the pitch, they stood behind me, my managerial team and players ... It was even a source of pride for them, even when they shouldn’t have (laughs) because it’s easy when you’re winning, you know. They certainly made the club what it was, or is.

"I’m hugely grateful to the supporters there and they were the reason I was there for so long. They made it very difficult for the opposition, the officials and never turned on me in nine years. For their sake, I hope they get back in the Premier Division.”

Galway United

The Salthill man is now working in his native Galway, coming in as a number two under John Caulfield in the off-season for the Tribesmen. Understandably, expectations are high for the 2023 campaign after promotion eluded them last year regardless of being considered by many as one of the favourites to attain Premier Division status.



“John has surrounded himself with a management team that works as hard as himself. Their work ethic is second to none and whatever chance we have of getting out of the league, it’s still going to be very difficult. Waterford have savage quality, money behind them and the likes of Finn Harps have gone full-time.

"We played Treaty recently and just about got over the line. You also have Kerry, who I don’t know a lot about, but by the time we play them I will. You need a bit of luck to get out of that league.”

About Dan Lucey

Dan Lucey is an interviewer for extraTime.com. He has penned articles for both Cork City and Luton Town’s official programmes.

Dan has written numerous interviews and was a regular attendee at League … View Full Profile