Finn Harps Preview 2012
Credit:
Last season: 9th (First Division)
In: Adam Clarke (Limavady United), Ciarán Greene (Glencar Celtic), Hugh Carlin (Dergview), Thomas McMonagle (on loan from Derry City), Chris Breen (Limerick), Darragh Healy (Sligo Rovers), Paul McVeigh (Fanad United), Thomas McBride (Institute).
Out: Packie Mailey (released), Kevin Devenney (released), Mark McGoldrick (end of loan), Mark Brolly (Dungannon Swifts), Gareth Harkin (released), Mark Forker (Letterkenny Rovers), Gary Curran (Ballinamallard United), JP Gallagher (released), Conor O’Grady (released).
Manager: Peter Hutton
Stadium: Finn Park, Ballybofey.
With the First Division trimmed to eight teams this year, some teams will be feeling that they may have a better chance than ever to gain promotion to the Premier Division. You have the main contenders – Limerick, Waterford and Longford and then there is Finn Harps.
After a few disappointing campaigns since their return to the First Division, the Donegal club will be hoping that this season they can rediscover the winning formula. Peter Hutton takes charge of Harps for his first full season and he has been quietly adding to his squad over the winter break.
Harps have managed to retain a lot of last season’s squad and have replaced the ones who have left, Mark Brolly one of the notable departures. However, Hutton has signed some exciting players who will be hoping to make an instant impact. Adam Clarke is one of those with plenty of potential, a tricky winger who has the ability to take the league by storm. Harps have also managed to keep a hold of experienced campaigner Kevin McHugh. A player who knows where the goal is, he will need to be on top form if he is to shoot the Ballybofey side up the table.
The one concern for Harps will be their defence. Can they keep clean sheets and stop the concession of goals? They can but only if they work as a unit. In their pre-season friendlies to date a lot of the time they have been drawn out individually but when they worked together they look capable of defending efficiently. They can get goals with the forward line of McHugh, Stephen O’Donnell and the creativity in midfield. It has been the defence that the question mark has been over but with Hutton – a former defender himself – and Felix Healy overlooking proceedings, one of their main priorities surely has been shutouts at the back.
Harps are a side who like to get the ball down and play football, a tactic that is not always suited to the first division. Maybe this year might be different. No one has really been talking about the side from the North West and they have been going about their business quietly but perhaps effectively. A good start may be half the work and if Harps can really hit the ground running and get their game in gear, who knows what might happen. Realistically midtable is the aim for Harps, but with two League of Ireland legends in charge, maybe we might be talking a little bit more about them come November.
ExtraTime.ie Prediction: 5th
