Harps part company with Gallagher
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
James Gallagher has been relieved of his duties as manager of
struggling First Division side Finn Harps, the Donegal club has
confirmed.
Harps sit tied with Wexford Youths second from the bottom in the Division One table and are winless after seven League games. Add in a League Cup defeat away to Mervue United and Harps are eight competitive games without success this season.
A glance over their shoulders sees only Salthill Devon below them. A 0-0 draw with the Galway side is one of only three points amassed by Harps so far this season and last night's 2-1 home defeat to Longford Town was the final straw for the frustrated Harps boardroom. In 551 minutes of football, Harps have managed just one goal – that being Marc Brolly's strike early in the second-half last night.
Assistant manager Anthony Gorman – a former Harps manager – has also departed. A statement from the club said: “The Chairman and Board of Directors would like to express their gratitude to both James and Anthony for their efforts and commitment during their times with the club.
“The Board will begin a recruitment process immediately to identify suitable candidates and appoint a new Manager.”
Next Friday night, Harps travel to third-placed Shelbourne, and it remains to be seen whether a new boss will be in place for the trip to Tolka Park. Among the names mooted at this early stage include Dermot Keely, who guided Harps to promotion in 1996, and who is reported to be keen to get back into management, and former Harps midfielder Donal O'Brien, manager of Ulster Senior League champions Cockhill Celtic, who recently dumped Galway United out of the EA Sports Cup.
There are also those on Finnside who would love to see the return of Felix Healy, who helped Harps to First Division glory in 2004, though it's not known if the Derryman would been interested in a return to the League of Ireland.
James Gallagher took over as caretaker manager of Harps in May 2009, following the resignation of Paul Hegarty, with the club third from bottom. Harps finished that season in 8th position and Gallagher was subsequently handed the job for the 2010 season. He managed to pull off a real transfer coup by recruiting club legends Kevin McHugh and Jonathan Minnock back to Finn Park.
Last season Harps finished 8th and after a difficult start to the season, the cash-strapped club is once again on the hunt for a manager.
Harps sit tied with Wexford Youths second from the bottom in the Division One table and are winless after seven League games. Add in a League Cup defeat away to Mervue United and Harps are eight competitive games without success this season.
A glance over their shoulders sees only Salthill Devon below them. A 0-0 draw with the Galway side is one of only three points amassed by Harps so far this season and last night's 2-1 home defeat to Longford Town was the final straw for the frustrated Harps boardroom. In 551 minutes of football, Harps have managed just one goal – that being Marc Brolly's strike early in the second-half last night.
Assistant manager Anthony Gorman – a former Harps manager – has also departed. A statement from the club said: “The Chairman and Board of Directors would like to express their gratitude to both James and Anthony for their efforts and commitment during their times with the club.
“The Board will begin a recruitment process immediately to identify suitable candidates and appoint a new Manager.”
Next Friday night, Harps travel to third-placed Shelbourne, and it remains to be seen whether a new boss will be in place for the trip to Tolka Park. Among the names mooted at this early stage include Dermot Keely, who guided Harps to promotion in 1996, and who is reported to be keen to get back into management, and former Harps midfielder Donal O'Brien, manager of Ulster Senior League champions Cockhill Celtic, who recently dumped Galway United out of the EA Sports Cup.
There are also those on Finnside who would love to see the return of Felix Healy, who helped Harps to First Division glory in 2004, though it's not known if the Derryman would been interested in a return to the League of Ireland.
James Gallagher took over as caretaker manager of Harps in May 2009, following the resignation of Paul Hegarty, with the club third from bottom. Harps finished that season in 8th position and Gallagher was subsequently handed the job for the 2010 season. He managed to pull off a real transfer coup by recruiting club legends Kevin McHugh and Jonathan Minnock back to Finn Park.
Last season Harps finished 8th and after a difficult start to the season, the cash-strapped club is once again on the hunt for a manager.
About Chris McNulty
Chris McNulty is one of extratime's Northwest correspondents, covering Finn Harps and Derry City. Has worked as a sports writer with the Donegal News since 2007. View Full Profile