Blow for Finn Harps as Ryan Flood returns to America on 'compassionate leave'
Finn Harps manager Darren Murphy confirmed that, ahead of the start of the new season on Saturday, that Ryan Flood has returned to America: “It is indefinitely at the moment. We don't know for how long. At the end of the day, Ryan needs a break"
Finn Harps have suffered a blow on the eve of the new season as Ryan Flood has returned to the United States.
Harps manager Darren Murphy confirmed that Flood has gone back across the Atlantic.
The 25-year-old has gone home on what Murphy said is 'compassionate leave'.
“It is indefinitely at the moment,” he said in an interview with FHTV ahead of Saturday's trip to Longford Town.
“We don't know for how long. At the end of the day, Ryan needs a break. He needs to be at home with his family.
“We understand that as a football club, the group of players understand that and I understand that.
“We draw a line in the sand now and we move on.”
Flood scored 14 goals for Harps last season and was the top goalscorer having appeared in 37 games.
Flood signed a two-year deal at Finn Park in 2023 and had been coveted by other clubs in the League of Ireland.
Murphy said: “Ryan is like other members of our football squad. We have players out of the game through injury and we have players out of the game through suspension.
“At this time, Ryan needs to be at home with his family.”