‘Phenomenal’ interest in vacant Finn Harps job

With the deadline now passed for applications for the vacant managerial post at Finn Harps, the club has described the interest in the job as phenomenal.

Ollie Horgan’s nine-year spell on Navenny Street came to an end earlier this month following the side’s relegation to the First Division. 

Since then, a whole host of names have been linked to the Finn Park hotseat. 

UCD assistant boss Willie O'Connor, Harps legends Kevin McHugh and Declan Boyle,  former Harps assistant boss Paul Hegarty and ex-Derry City and Institute coach Kevin Deery have been mentioned as possible successors to Horgan. 

Sean Connors - who last managed with Institute in the Irish League - has already said he’d be interested in the job while Donegal’s All-Ireland winning boss Jim McGuinness is another high-profile name being mentioned. 

Speaking to DonegalLive this week, club secretary Kathy Taaffe wouldn’t comment on any of the above speculation. But she did confirm that the next step in the process to find the club’s new manager has now started.   

“The interest in the post has been phenomenal - it really has,” she said. “Opportunities to manage at this level are few and far between. And the response we’ve had reflects that. 

“We have a panel that is managing that recruitment process. The first round of those interviews has already taken place. There will be a second round of talks now straight away. 

“And who knows, there may need to be a third round of interviews. But that’s for the recruitment panel to decide.”

Taaffe admits that the process will need to be concluded sooner rather than later with the new manager more than likely being tasked with a complete squad rebuild.  

“The new First Division season will start February 24. In Ollie’s time, pre-season would usually begin on New Year’s week. You’d be looking at an eight-week pre-season. 

“Player recruitment will be a big part of the new manager’s initial brief. Last year, overall, we lost 12 players. This year, I really can’t say how many of the squad from this season will be available once again for 2023.

“We’d a lot of non-national players involved last season. But there is no doubt we’re probably back to looking at building a new squad once more.”