Harps release O'Grady & Friel
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Finn Harps have trimmed their squad with the release of two players in the form of Conor O’Grady and Garbhan Friel - and question marks remain over the future of Aaron McElwee.
The loss the experienced O’Grady is certainly a blow to manager Peter Hutton and director of football Felix Healy. The club were forced to reach a compromise with the former Sligo Rovers skipper as an ankle injury, which will require surgery next month, meaning his season is essentially over.
Friel suffered a tendon injury and pre-season and although he has played quite frequently of late, he too has been let go and is expected to re-sign for Cockhill Celtic.
“It really is a blow to both players and releasing players is always difficult but injuries played their part,” Healy said. “Conor was more or less out for the season so an agreement had to be reached and Garbhan has had his troubles. We will, though, keep an eye on how he gets on over the coming months back at Cockhill.”
McElwee has broken into the Harps team of late and made an impact almost instantly. However, the Strabane native, who will be suspended for next weekend’s game at Salthill Devon, might soon be on his way having been offered a soccer scholarship in the United States.
“Aaron has been offered a place in North Dakota and it’s really all down to the paperwork at the minute so we could lose him very soon,” Healy added.
Meanwhile, Harps arranged two high profile friendlies against Irish League opposition over the coming week. Without a game in the Airtricity League because they have a free weekend, Harps will play Glentoran at home this afternoon (3pm). Then on Tuesday night, they will travel to Belfast to play Cliftonville.
Healy confirmed that he hopes to feature his new signings - Stephen O’Donnell, Sean McCarron and JP Gallagher in the games - and he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a few more new faces joining the squad in the coming weeks.
O’Donnell has a hamstring problem but it is hoped he will be involved, while Hutton is also likely to play. Meanwhile, Healy has paid tribute to Christy Conaghan and Gary Whoriskey who are the first two players to be let go as part of the squad changes at Finn Park.
“Christy and Gary left last week and it was awful,” Healy said. “But it has to be done and the buck stops with me and Peter. In normal circumstances, I wouldn’t let either of the two players go, but if I bring five or six in, the same amount has to go out, that’s the harsh reality.
“I feel sorry for both Christy and Gary. I’ve said to both of them, hopefully at the end of this year, we might be in a position to bring both of them back if the circumstances are right.”
Healy also refused to rule out the possibility of more departures. “The guys will all know in the next two or three weeks. There will be one or two more leaving the dressing room as well. That’s the other side of management and dealing with football at this level, it would drive you scatty but it has to be done.”
The loss the experienced O’Grady is certainly a blow to manager Peter Hutton and director of football Felix Healy. The club were forced to reach a compromise with the former Sligo Rovers skipper as an ankle injury, which will require surgery next month, meaning his season is essentially over.
Friel suffered a tendon injury and pre-season and although he has played quite frequently of late, he too has been let go and is expected to re-sign for Cockhill Celtic.
“It really is a blow to both players and releasing players is always difficult but injuries played their part,” Healy said. “Conor was more or less out for the season so an agreement had to be reached and Garbhan has had his troubles. We will, though, keep an eye on how he gets on over the coming months back at Cockhill.”
McElwee has broken into the Harps team of late and made an impact almost instantly. However, the Strabane native, who will be suspended for next weekend’s game at Salthill Devon, might soon be on his way having been offered a soccer scholarship in the United States.
“Aaron has been offered a place in North Dakota and it’s really all down to the paperwork at the minute so we could lose him very soon,” Healy added.
Meanwhile, Harps arranged two high profile friendlies against Irish League opposition over the coming week. Without a game in the Airtricity League because they have a free weekend, Harps will play Glentoran at home this afternoon (3pm). Then on Tuesday night, they will travel to Belfast to play Cliftonville.
Healy confirmed that he hopes to feature his new signings - Stephen O’Donnell, Sean McCarron and JP Gallagher in the games - and he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a few more new faces joining the squad in the coming weeks.
O’Donnell has a hamstring problem but it is hoped he will be involved, while Hutton is also likely to play. Meanwhile, Healy has paid tribute to Christy Conaghan and Gary Whoriskey who are the first two players to be let go as part of the squad changes at Finn Park.
“Christy and Gary left last week and it was awful,” Healy said. “But it has to be done and the buck stops with me and Peter. In normal circumstances, I wouldn’t let either of the two players go, but if I bring five or six in, the same amount has to go out, that’s the harsh reality.
“I feel sorry for both Christy and Gary. I’ve said to both of them, hopefully at the end of this year, we might be in a position to bring both of them back if the circumstances are right.”
Healy also refused to rule out the possibility of more departures. “The guys will all know in the next two or three weeks. There will be one or two more leaving the dressing room as well. That’s the other side of management and dealing with football at this level, it would drive you scatty but it has to be done.”
