Darren Murphy content on long roads in quest to help Finn Harps to a new home

Patrick Ferry left home in Gweedore last Friday morning sometime around 8.30am.

It was likely close to 6.30am on Saturday by the time he locked the door behind him again.

Ferry's 22-hour jaunt to Cobh to line out for Finn Harps is just one example of the travails and sacrifices being made.

Overnight stays have been shelved this season as part of a major cost-cutting exercise.

You won't hear Darren Murphy, the Harps manager, complaining, though. Quite the opposite, in fact: Murphy says he and his squad are doing their own bit to lend weight behind Harps' bid to close a funding deficit for its stadium move.

The weekly budget Murphy is working off is down by some €7,000 since Harps' Premier Division season of 2022. Rent for a house, which was home to several players, has also been removed from the expenses list.

It is, Murphy says, the senior management and players doing their bit towards funding for Harps' new stadium in Stranorlar.

The Donegal Community Stadium project is at the 'now or never' stage, as referenced by the club chairman Ian Harkin in the last week ahead of a crucial meeting this Sunday that will see shareholders vote on a new ownership model. A new membership charge is also being proposed by the Board.

“Everyone here understands that a new stadium has to be built,” Murphy says. “The financial side of things is obviously huge in going towards helping that. Some players may not be here when the new stadium is built, but they understand that they have to make a contribution.

“I might not be the manager of Finn Harps when the new stadium comes along, but I'll be very happy to come back and see Harps playing in a brand new multi-purpose stadium.”

During the course of the 2024 season, Harps will make eight long journeys, two apiece to Cobh Ramblers, Cork City, Kerry FC and Treaty United. Ordinaly, overnight stays would be sought for at least some of those.

“The outlay would be huge,” Murphy says. “You could be talking up on €50,000 for the overnight stays. The players have bought into what the club is doing here. It's a massive outlay to put 25-30 people into a hotel eight times and the players accept these obstacles. With every hurdle put in front of them, they do their absolute best.”

FINN HARPS' TIMETABLE TO COBH
9.30am Depart from Finn Park
10am Pick up Fir Trees in Strabane
11.15am 15-minute break in Monaghan
1pm Soup and sandwiches in Dublin
2pm Depart for cork
4.30pm Pre-match meal in Cork
6.15pm Arrive in Cobh
7.45pm Cobh Ramblers v Finn Harps kick-off
10.30pm Depart from Cobh
1am 45-minute break in Dublin
5am Arrive at Fir Trees in Strabane
5.30am Arrive back at Finn Park

Murphy was recruited by then manager Dave Rogers for the 2023 season. After Rogers' departure, Murphy remained as the interim manager before being handed the controls at the end of last year.

The recent floodlight failure is just the latest in a long line of issues Murphy has witnessed.

“I have never just walked into Finn Park and there not been some sort of an issue,” he says, not by way of complaint, but rather painting a picture of reality. “People really have to set emotions to the side now.

“This isn't about trying to forget Finn Harps, what the club has done there and the many good nights. It's about making new memories.

“I look around the Irish League and generally speaking you can have a family day out there, but Finn Park isn't a ground you can easily push a pram around.

“There is serious emotion attached to Finn Park, really good emotional memories, but the Old Lady is just done. We have to move home to progress.

“We can never forget what has gone before us, but Finn Park just isn't fit for purpose so I see now the sacrifices being made as being for the supporters; for the next generations.

“We've had issues with hot water and had to get electricians in on a game day. The clubhouse roof is leaking and when it rains heavily, as it tends to do quite a bit, the water drips into the office and clubhouse.

“It's quite ironic that we play Cork City this weekend and we have to play in Ballybofey at 6pm because we have no lights and they have no pitch.

“For all the good working being done, and the League of Ireland Premier Division is booming, people can't take the eye off the ball with what is coming behind. Look at the First Division clubs: We have our issues with lights and facilities; Cork have had their issue with the pitch; Wexford havehad some problems with their pitch; Longford have had a struggle with lights; and Cobh have had their issues too.

“All clubs in the League of Ireland really need help.”

Cork City will arrive in the Twin Towns as the First Division leaders, seven points ahead of UCD and Harps, locked on 18 points.

Conor Tourish, David Cawley and Darragh Coyle have added to a lengthening injury list with Kevin Jordan, Aaron McLaughlin, Max Johnston and Stephen Doherty all ruled out.

Neither of Tourish, Cawley or Coyle trained early this week and are extremely doubtful as Harps look to get back on track after defeats to Athlone Town and Cobh Ramblers on their travels over the last fortnight.

The early kick-off this week brings its own test for players in employment with Murphy and his squad meeting at 4.30pm.

The example of Ferry, again, is key in understanding the commitment of some. The Gweedore man will punch in some extra hours at Brian McCormick Sports over the weekend.

“It's not ideal and these players are already working around their schedules,” Murphy says. “We're in a good place, though. We're all in it together.

“I don't put the last two results down to travel, but it is important that people have insight. It does sadden me sometimes when I see or hear certain individuals who have been involved, some ex-players even, people who should understand the sacrifices, making certain comments.

“Somewhere along the line it might take a toll, but supporters need to see what happens outside of the hours of 7.45-9.45pm.”

Murphy regularly works for BBC Radio Ulster as a co-commentator and analyst in the Irish League.

He remembers Omagh Town. The club had strong links to Donegal throughout its existence with countless players from the country featuring over the years.

St Julian's Road is overgrown now, Omagh Town FC having closed in 2005.

“People might be fearful and scared about moving from Finn Park,” Murphy says, “but my worry is that if we don't move then we could be another Omagh Town.”