Darren Murphy in Loughgall talks after Finn Harps departure

Darren Murphy is in talks to become the next manager of Loughgall having left Finn Harps this week.

Murphy announced his decision to step down as the Harps manager to the players and staff at Finn Park on Tuesday evening.

The 50-year-old was approached by Irish League Premiership strugglers Loughgall and decided to stand down as the Harps boss. 

He believes that the interim management team of Tommy Canning, Kevin McHugh and Eamon Curry should continue to lead Harps.

“As of now, I haven’t agreed anything with Loughgall,” Murphy told Donegal Live. 

“There have been conversations. I just wanted to make this decision at the other side so that I have the clear head to think about the other decision. It is very difficult to make decisions when you’re trying to juggle two things. 

“I had to be free from one to look at the other and that is just where I was at and where we sit now.

“There has been no fallout. There are no untold truths here and nothing that people have to dig to find out. There is nothing in it at all; it was just purely where I am in my own life.”

Loughgall are bottom of the Irish League Premiership, nine points adrift of Carrick Rangers, and face Ballymena United on Tuesday.

Murphy lives close to Lakeview Park, Loughgall’s home ground. Donegal Live revealed earlier this month that Loughgall were keen on Murphy following the departure of Dean Smith after almost nine years at the club.

Should he shake hands on a deal with Loughgall, Harps will not receive compensation with the club having agreed to part ways from a three-year-contract penned in November.

Murphy said: “When I agreed a three-year deal in my head in November, I had it in my head that I would be at Finn Harps for three years. 

“It’s one of those where it might be the right time for me, but the wrong time for Finn Harps.”

Murphy’s departure was announced only hours after he was named as the Manager of the Week in the First Division following a 5-0 hammering of Bray Wanderers on Friday night - Harps’ first win of the season.

Read next: Donegal soccer leagues unite against FAI's calendar season proposal

Harps travel to Athlone Town on Friday night and the coaching team of Canning, McHugh and Curry - who had all been part of Murphy’s backroom team - will be in charge.

Murphy said: “I have openly said that I don’t feel that the club needs to look outside. The three men are more than capable of picking up the baton and taking it to the next part of the relay. That isn’t said out of sentiment, but that is my honest opinion.”