New additions means Finn Harps suddenly look so much more in tune 

New look Finn Harps upped the ante in Ballybofey on Friday night against Bray Wanderers and even though the contest ended in a scoreless draw it was a much more upbeat and positive 90 minutes from Dave Rogers’ side. 

The fact that the boss gave six newcomers their debuts from the off meant the hosts looked meaner and, for want of a better word, harder. 

And in a dingdong encounter Harps supporters will now be hoping that the weekend’s high octane efforts are a sign of things to come. 

Stephen Doherty, back on Navenny Street once more, also went straight into the starting XI while another returnee, BJ Banda, made a real impact when he was sprung in the second period. 

With Rogers explaining that Tony McNamee is also set to be available from this week on, things are suddenly looking up for the side. Rogers certainly feels his team is in the process of turning a corner. 

“We’re disappointed we didn’t get all three points,” was his immediate reaction to the result.  “The lads are disappointed as well. But to be fair to Bray, I have to say it was a very good game of football. They certainly didn’t sit back. 

“They were on top in spells, we were on top in spells. But we’ve seven or eight new lads in there. Some of them haven’t played 90 minutes for eight to ten weeks but they applied themselves really well. 

“On another night we might have nicked it. Overall, it’s a positive evening. We’ll take the clean sheet and we’ll take the point. We’re disappointed we didn't win it but Bray will probably feel the same way as well”.

22 games in and Harps currently sit second from bottom in what’s been a difficult campaign to date. Bray remain in fifth spot after Friday night, eight points in front of Rogers’ men. But if their clash is any kind of barometer for what might be to come, Harps might feel the potential is now there to start climbing up the table.

“Coming in here, we were under no illusions,” Rogers explained. “We were left with one player. So it’s been really difficult. We’ve had to recruit players that fit into the budget we have. You also have to recruit lads you feel you can develop.

“But we also spoke to a lot of the lads we’ve taken in these past few weeks back in January. For different reasons we didn’t get them at the time. But now we have a number of lads we targeted so it’s something to build upon. 

“We knew we needed physicality and we knew we’d to bring in a few lads that would give us aggression and even some meanness at times.  But take nothing. away from the lads that have been here since January. It’s been a real learning curve. 

“We want to win games of football but we want to do it the right way. We know where we’re at and we know our limitations financially. But we’re getting on with it and we feel we’re moving in the right direction”. 

Next up for Harps is another home fixture as third place Cobh Ramblers make the long trek north. Rogers says the planning for that begins immediately. The Cork men drew with the division's best side Galway United at the weekend so they’ll be coming to Finn Park win.

“We’re back in tomorrow morning for recovery. Lads that didn’t do the full 90 will get top ups. But we’re raring to go. That’s a really enthusiastic dressing room this evening. 

“We’ll have a good look at Cobh then on Monday, do our analysis and give the players the information on how we feel we can win a game of football. The supporters were brilliant tonight and I can only thank them again”.