Ryan Flood to remain at Finn Harps unless acceptable offer made - Darren Murphy

Finn Harps manager Darren Murphy has told Ryan Flood to ‘ignore the noise’.

Flood was Harps’ top scorer in 2023, but the American opted to table a transfer request in order to find full-time football.

The 25-year-old remains a Harps player and scored one of the goals in Sunday’s 2-2 pre-season draw with Derry City. Harps have yet to receive a satisfactory offer for Flood, who joined last January on a two-year deal.

“Until such time as an offer is made that is accepted, Ryan will remain a Finn Harps player,” Murphy told Donegal Live.

Finn Harps fightback twice to hold Derry City in pre-season opener

Ryan Flood, whose future at Finn Harps remains uncertain, scored an excellent first-half goal while Max Hutchison headed in a late equaliser for Darren Murphy's side

“I spoke to him, not as a manager, but as someone who has built a relationship up over 12 months. I told him to concentrate on football and all the other noise is irrelevant until such decisions are made at such times.

“I told him to come in and do training and he wouldn’t be isolated from the group. No-one in the football club will tell me that he won’t be a part of it.

“That was proven. Ryan showed his quality and why there has been interest. The group of players in there love Ryan and Ryan loves being a part of the group.”

Flood drew Harps level after Michael Duffy opened the scoring with Max Hutchison scoring a late equaliser to cancel out Sean Patton’s goal early in the second half.

Flood’s goal was one of real quality, scored after carving out an opening with Tony McNamee and Patrick Ferry. Murphy knows the quality Flood possesses - and would dearly love to have him in his plans.

Murphy said: “It’s out of our hands. He has settled well here again and I have no issues in involving Ryan in the game. That will be the case until I am told differently. All he can do is do what he done here and take to the field of play, enjoy the game and see where it takes him.”

Among the new players on show for Harps on Sunday was former Sligo Rovers captain David Cawley, who arrived as something of a surprise signing.

Murphy said: “It is hard to explain what he brings. I can talk all I want about it, but now there is someone there who does it. We have that bit of experience now. We have a hardcore of coaches and managers on a pitch and that will be hugely important.”