McEleney vows to change the culture at Finn Park after another heavy defeat
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Finn Harps interim manager Patrick McEleney has vowed to change the culture at the club for as long as he is there after the Ballybofey men fell to another heavy defeat in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday.
Coming off the back of a 5-0 loss to Longford Town just four days earlier, Harps conceded a third-minute goal to Seagulls midfielder John Bilili Sesay before Ben McCormack doubled the home team’s advantage in the closing stages of the opening period.
Losing two men to red cards made life extremely difficult for Harps in the Longford game, and the dismissal of Max Hutchison on 67 minutes preceded a late surge from Bray that ultimately led to another 5-0 result.
It remains to be seen how much longer McEleney – who is being assisted by his brother Shane at the club – will remain at Harps, but he is eager to implement changes during his time at the helm.
“We just didn’t get going. I thought the start of the second half we were a wee bit better. We’re obviously down bodies. It’s just a difficult period, but there’s bigger issues. It’s the culture, it’s the whole thing, and that’s what I’m here to do,” McEleney acknowledged after Friday’s game.
“To be honest, I think everybody should look at this season and write it off. I’m going to be here, I think, as long as possible and I will change the culture. Because to me they’re not like footballers at the minute. I don’t know what has gone on previously, but things need to change.
“You’re playing for Finn Harps, you’re playing for a football club with passionate fans. If you can’t get yourself up for a game and get after people, I don’t think you should be here.”