Mailey future still in doubt
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
The future of Finn Harps captain Packie Mailey is the main talking point in and around the Ballybofey club as they begin their pre-season this weekend.
The 22-year-old is currently mulling over two contract offers - one from Harps and another from Derry City. Harps manager James Gallagher met with the Convoy native last Saturday and has admitted that although his club probably cannot match the financial offer from Stephen Kenny's side, he does believe that Mailey would be better remaining at Finn Park from a career point of view.
"Packie needs to make his mind up," Gallagher said yesterday. "He has two offers and although we can't compete with the offer that he has received from Derry financially, I think he would be better with us from a football point of view.
"I met him last weekend and have spoken to him a couple of times since and there have been a couple of twists and turns. One minute he looks like he is going to stay and another he appears to want to leave, but it's a big decision for him.
"All I can do is try to persuade him that his future lies at Finn Harps, but I'm sure Derry City are doing something similar. It's something we would like to get sorted pretty soon, but Packie is a player we would certainly like to hold onto as he is a massive part of the club. Hopefully he will make the best decision for his career."
Gallagher also confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Chris Patton from Letterkenny Rovers and believes the native of the Twin Towns, who is also aged 22, is something of a rough diamond that could have a big part to play in the coming weeks and months.
"I watched Chris a few times last season at Letterkenny Rovers and for someone who has never really had real goalkeeping coaching he certainly showed potential. He's a local lad, who used to play for Ballybofey United, and is a Harps supporter. It's a good opportunity for him.
"After Gavin Cullen left the club we had a void to fill and Chris can push Ciaran Gallagher for the jersey. We want to have competition for places in all areas. It's a big step up for Chris, but the signs are there. With a bit of time and some hard work on his behalf, we have high hopes for him."
This week has also seen Ciaran Coll re-sign. The left-back, who is a former Republic of Ireland underage international, missed almost the whole of last season with a cruciate injury but made a return for the final league outing against Mervue United.
"In a way, Ciaran is like a new signing," Gallagher added. "He has worked hard to get back and because of the amount of time he spent in the gym on the road to recovery, he is even stronger. He can bring another dimension of freshness and energy and he's the sort of player that other clubs would be looking at so we are delighted to have him back on board."
Harps will train on Saturday and Sunday this weekend and then follow that up with sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.
Article originally appeared in the Donegal Democrat newspaper
The 22-year-old is currently mulling over two contract offers - one from Harps and another from Derry City. Harps manager James Gallagher met with the Convoy native last Saturday and has admitted that although his club probably cannot match the financial offer from Stephen Kenny's side, he does believe that Mailey would be better remaining at Finn Park from a career point of view.
"Packie needs to make his mind up," Gallagher said yesterday. "He has two offers and although we can't compete with the offer that he has received from Derry financially, I think he would be better with us from a football point of view.
"I met him last weekend and have spoken to him a couple of times since and there have been a couple of twists and turns. One minute he looks like he is going to stay and another he appears to want to leave, but it's a big decision for him.
"All I can do is try to persuade him that his future lies at Finn Harps, but I'm sure Derry City are doing something similar. It's something we would like to get sorted pretty soon, but Packie is a player we would certainly like to hold onto as he is a massive part of the club. Hopefully he will make the best decision for his career."
Gallagher also confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Chris Patton from Letterkenny Rovers and believes the native of the Twin Towns, who is also aged 22, is something of a rough diamond that could have a big part to play in the coming weeks and months.
"I watched Chris a few times last season at Letterkenny Rovers and for someone who has never really had real goalkeeping coaching he certainly showed potential. He's a local lad, who used to play for Ballybofey United, and is a Harps supporter. It's a good opportunity for him.
"After Gavin Cullen left the club we had a void to fill and Chris can push Ciaran Gallagher for the jersey. We want to have competition for places in all areas. It's a big step up for Chris, but the signs are there. With a bit of time and some hard work on his behalf, we have high hopes for him."
This week has also seen Ciaran Coll re-sign. The left-back, who is a former Republic of Ireland underage international, missed almost the whole of last season with a cruciate injury but made a return for the final league outing against Mervue United.
"In a way, Ciaran is like a new signing," Gallagher added. "He has worked hard to get back and because of the amount of time he spent in the gym on the road to recovery, he is even stronger. He can bring another dimension of freshness and energy and he's the sort of player that other clubs would be looking at so we are delighted to have him back on board."
Harps will train on Saturday and Sunday this weekend and then follow that up with sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.
Article originally appeared in the Donegal Democrat newspaper
