2021 Season Preview: Finn Harps

Manager: Ollie Horgan

Stadium: Finn Park

Players in: Ryan Rainey (Bonagee United), Conor Barry (Galway United), Will Seymore (Sligo Rovers), Ethan Boyle (Linfield), Luke McNicholas (Sligo Rovers), Niall McGinley (Dungannon Swifts), Ryan Shanley (Hibernian), Tunde Owolabi (Hamilton), Sean Boyd (Unattached).

Players out: Sam Todd (UCD), Gareth Harkin, Tom McDermott.

Extratime.com Key Man: Mark McGinley

McGinley played every minute of Finn Harps 2020 season which included 6 clean sheets, three of which came in the club’s last three games as the side finished in eighth, one point ahead of Shelbourne who ended up suffering relegation by way of the Playoffs.

The goalkeeper saw his performances recognised last October when he was runner up for the SSE Airtricity League Player of the Month Award.

He will be a key part of Ollie Horgan’s squad as the Donegal side aim to secure their Premier Division status for a third season in a row.

Extratime.com One to Watch: Tunde Owolabi

Owalabi is a new signing at Finn Park making the move to Finn Park after his contract with Scottish Premiership side Hamilton Academical expired in February.

The striker failed to make a major impact with the Scottish club but with 35 goals in 41 appearances for FC United of Manchester during the 2019/2020 season this is a signing that could really pay off.

Harps’ top scorer during the 2020 League campaign was Mark Russell with just three goals, if Harps new arrival can find some form this season he could be a major focal point of the Harps attack for 2021.

How they did last season:

League:

As expected Harps had a battle on their hands from the beginning to stay in the Premier Division, if there is one Irish side well equipped for a relegation battle however, it’s one managed by Ollie Horgan.

Despite not getting a single win over the two relegated sides from the division (Cork City and Shelbourne) Harps managed to stay up and avoid the Playoffs by one point.

Their survival was still up in the air heading into the tail end of the season but in the last five games Harps secured three wins over Bohemians, St Patrick’s Athletic and Waterford as well as a draw with Dundalk which accounted for half of their points tally for the season.

FAI Cup:

Harps made it all the way to the quarter-finals of last year’s FAI Cup competition beginning their campaign against St Patrick’s Athletic at home.

A late winner by Ryan Connolly was enough to see off the Dublin side and set up a tie with First Division side Bray Wanderers.

The Donegal side made the long trip to the Carlisle Grounds where two goals from Alexander Kogler were enough to dump Wanderers out of the competition.

Shamrock Rovers proved a tougher challenge for the Donegal side and, despite taking a two goal lead in the first half with Barry McNamee and Stephen Folan getting on the scoresheet, Harps were defeated by three second half goals to end their participation in the competition.

What to expect this season:

It’s safe to expect another tough season ahead for Finn Harps although, with two seasons back in the Premier Division under their belt, Ollie Horgan is the best man for the job as they aim to survive a third campaign with the Galway man entering his eighth campaign at the helm.

With two clubs coming up from the First Division for the 2021 season Harps should target winning as many points as they can off Drogheda United and Longford Town in order to steer clear of relegation and the playoffs.

After the success of Kosovar Sadiki moving over from Hibernian last year, the loan signing of Hibs’ Ryan Shanley and Tunde Owolabe will prove interesting talking points to see how the players adapt to the League of Ireland.

If the new signings can gel with Horgan’s existing squad they should have a good chance at avoiding relegation this season.

Title Odds: 66/1

First game: Bohemians (home)