‘We’re running out of games’: Darren Murphy

Darren Murphy admits that Finn Harps are ‘running out of games’ in their bid to make the play-off shake-up in the First Division.

A 1-0 defeat by Longford Town in Ballybofey on Friday night leaves Harps, who are ninth, trailing fifth-placed Wexford by nine points with just eight games remaining.

Harps have been frustrated by their home form, winning twice at Finn Park in the League.

St Patrick’s Athletic are due to visit the Twin Towns next month for an FAI Cup quarter-final, but in the League assistant manager Murphy says Harps simply have to start winning.

Home frustrations as Finn Harps defeated by Longford Town

Christian Magerusan bagged the only goal of the game in the first half as Finn Harps fell to a home defeat by Longford Town.

“We have three (home games) left in the league and one in the cup,” Murphy said. “If you want to challenge for the play-off spots, ultimately we have to start winning games. We’re not just running out of games at home, we’re running out of games full stop.”

Christian Magerusan netted the only goal of the game on Friday night, netting in the first half to deny Harps.

Murphy said: “We gave ourselves too much to do. I don’t think that the first half performance was good enough. We certainly didn’t deserve anything from the first half. We had a frank and honest conversation at half-time. It’s not something I’m known for, but I felt it was something that was needed. We were very lethargic in the first half in lots of ways.

“We were much improved in the second half, but we didn’t create anything clear cut. We were more in the game, we moved the ball better, we got ourselves into better positions. We had good half chances, so the second half was pleasing in that we got a response. We played 38 minutes, including added time, with ten men and still we looked like the team in the ascendancy.

“Top teams turn up consistently. That’s not down to a manager or a coach, it’s down to mindset from players. The mindset wasn’t right from our players. Sometimes I’d love the press to be in a team talk or to see what happens in the build up. They were drilled on how Longford would play, their set-up, their set pieces.”

Matthew Makinson was sent off in the 64th minute and Harps lost their other centre-back, Daithi McCallion, to a shoulder injury.

Murphy had few qualms over the dismissal of Makinson, who was already on a booking when he went in on Magerusan.

He said: “It was one of those, especially when you’re already on a yellow card, where you give the referee a decision to make.”

Harps had their chances in the second half, with Patrick Ferry and Ryan Flood both denied by Jack Brady, the visiting ‘keeper. The introductions of Sean O’Donnell and Aaron McLaughlin breathed new energy into the hosts’ attack, but they were unable to draw level.

Murphy said: “I’m very unhappy with the first 45 and slightly happier with the second half.

“O’Donnell and McLaughlin they went on and played with no fear. That effort and work rate made up for the man that we lost and it gave the whole team a lift. We did start to create chances and get in behind, but it’s still hugely disappointing because we’ve lost the game.”