Darren Murphy: ‘I want to work with people like Tony McNamee’

Darren Murphy has pointed to Tony McNamee as an example of the type of characters he’ll target as the Finn Harps manager.

Murphy has been appointed as Dave Rogers’ successor in the Harps hot seat on a two-year deal.

The Northern Irishman was initially brought to Finn Park as Rogers’ assistant but, after seeing out the 2023 season as caretaker manager, Murphy has been given the reins.

In June, McNamee returned to Harps after two years at Bonagee United and the Ramelton man ended the campaign as vice captain.

“I want to work with people like Tony McNamee,” Murphy said. “He shows me what the football club means to him.”

New Finn Harps boss Darren Murphy strikes notes of realism

In his first press conference as the Finn Harps manager, Darren Murphy made no secret that he will dip heavily into the club's youth ranks and has cautioned that there may need to be 'short-term pain'

Murphy was officially unveiled as the Harps manager on Monday evening in Ballybofey.

Murphy is willing to give the Donegal youth its head as he prepares to lead the club into its 70th anniversary season.

He said: “We need to actively try to recruit the best young players in the North West. I am very confident in myself to trust these young players.

“Some managers may not take the time to speak to a promising 17 or 18-year-old but, hand on heart, I will have that time.

“Right now, the opportunity has arose at Finn Harps, where we are financially as a club and were we are player wise, for young players.

“In 18 months time, in three years, five years, whatever length of time until Darren Murphy is not here, I want the football club to be in a better place after that.”