Manager Darren Murphy agrees new three-year deal to remain at Finn Harps 

Darren Murphy has finally put pen to paper on a new deal that will keep him in the Finn Harps dugout for the next three seasons. 

After the departure of Dave Rogers with a handful of games to go in the 2023 season, the Portadown native took interim charge and was subsequently permanently appointed.

Following that disastrous spell under Rogers, where the team finished second from bottom in the First Division, Murphy steadied matters admirably this term guiding Harps to sixth in the standings, just outside the play-off berths. 

He also had to contend with the passing of his dad, Bertie, in September, so it’s been a difficult number of months both on and off the field. 

Speaking after their last home game of the season, back in mid-October, a 3-1 home loss to Wexford, Murphy admitted he was going to take some time to mull over his own future. 

“The manager is like everyone else in that regard,” he said. “I’ll also have to sit down with the board and the chairman and see what’s what. 

“There’s no doubt it’s been a difficult year for me on and off the pitch - it’s been an emotional year for me, personally, as well. 

“But I’ve learned a great deal. And this will now give me time to finally process all of that. I think my father’s funeral was on a Wednesday and I was back in the dugout on the Friday.  

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“It’s been relentless so now I have the chance to take stock, take time out and speak to the people that are closest to me, like my wife and two sons”. 

And on Tuesday afternoon, Murphy took to the club’s various social channels to confirm he’s remaining put on Navenny Street. 

“I’m delighted to announce that I’ve agreed a new three-year full-time contract with the club. I've had an absolutely unbelievable time here over the last two years and I’m looking forward to the next three.”