Finn Harps confirm Darren Murphy as new Head Coach

Darren Murphy has been confirmed as the new head coach of Finn Harps.

Murphy finished the 2023 season as caretaker manager following the departure of Dave Rogers in September.

Having initially joined as Rogers’ assistant, Murphy has been elevated to the hot seat for the 2024 season. Harps have confirmed that Murphy will be in the role in a full-time capacity and said the appointment came after ‘various candidates’ were interviewed.

Murphy will be unveiled officially on Monday evening at 5pm in the Villa Rose Hotel in Ballybofey.

“After taking the team for the final six weeks of the season, it was something that I really, really enjoyed,” Murphy, who holds a UEFA Pro Licence, said. “When the opportunity arose to take the role in a full-time capacity it was something that I jumped at. 

“The reasons behind the decision for me were that I wanted to challenge myself, I wanted to challenge the players and the fact that I have really enjoyed the last 12 months working at Finn Harps Football Club.”

Murphy will now work on assembling a backroom team and playing staff as Harps look to recover from a poor season that saw them finish bottom-bar-one in the First Division. Only newcomers Kerry FC were below Harps in the standings,

Murphy said: “I am really looking forward to the challenge and what I would like to say to the Finn Harps fans is that I will give the role 100% and I will do the best that I can to put a team out on the pitch that they are proud of.”

A former player in the Irish League with Portadown, Glenavon, Linfield and Dungannon Swifts, Murphy later managed Dungannon and worked as a coach with both Linfield and Crusaders.

Harps Chairperson Ian Harkin says that the club undertook a ‘thorough review’ of the role. Harkin feels that the decision to appoint a full-time manager for the 2023 campaign was the ‘right one’

“We are committed to a pathway of being a professionally run club both on the pitch and off it,” Harkin said. “Darren’s record both on the playing pitch and off it as a coach is very impressive.

“We are committed to developing our own and we have seen some amazing talents flourish this year, these lads all have experience now and we are confident we can push on and be competitive in 2024.”

Harkin says the club is aiming to ‘bring back some of those who are playing either in the county or outside it’ back to the club.

He said: “We have a massive year ahead from lots of angles, there is lots to be excited about in 2024, including our stadium.  It is exciting watching our own develop into senior footballers, we have a number we believe have the potential to make it to the highest level.”