Felix Healy resigns from Finn Harps

Article originally printed on Donegal News website

FELIX Healy has resigned as the Director of Football of troubled Finn Harps.

His decision was conveyed to the players following last night's 3-0 defeat to Wexford Youths which left the club languishing in the bottom three in the First Division, five points off fifth-placed Waterford.

Club Chairman Joey O'Leary spoke to Healy this morning and the decision was confirmed in a short statement issued on the club website.

O'Leary has confirmed that player-manager Peter Hutton, who joined Harps with Healy last May, will remain as first team manager with Sean McGowan, the club's under 19 team manager, becoming number two to Hutton.

"They are two very good coaches and managers in their own right. I've spoken to both of them and they're happy to look after first team affairs," said O'Leary.

"They will look after the team until the mid-season break and that will give the Board a chance to assess the situation.

"We're sorry to see Felix go because he's a great character. He has been very good to work with and has been very understanding of the club's financial plight, which was very important."

Healy said that he was stepping down due to 'other commitments' which have prevented him from giving his full time to the role.

"I was only ever staying for a year anyway," Healy revealed this morning after ending his second spell at the helm of Harps.

" I just have too many things on. I got back from Wexford after 4am, then had to get up in the morning to go to Belfast for the Setanta Cup and had a gig to play in Derry after that.

"I've been doing that for 40 years and it's just too much.

"I came in to try and steady the ship. I've been here a year now and the club is in a much healthier position than it was a year ago, in a lot of places."

Healy, who previously stepped down as team manager of Harps in 2005, has said that he will be releasing a statement on his departure early in the week.

Article originally printed on Donegal News website