FINN Harps captain Tony McNamee is hoping that they can produce a performance in front of a home crowd against Cobh Ramblers on Friday night.
Finn Harps return to League of Ireland First Division action this Friday following a break in their schedule due to the FAI Cup.
The Navenny Street club were enduring a difficult period in the league prior to the break which saw them suffer back-to-back 5-0 away defeats to Longford Town and Bray Wanderers.
It’s been a tough start to life as head coach for Patrick McEleney, with the challenge of a three-game week as soon as he entered the role.
However, the gap between games following the hectic schedule may have allocated him time to apply his methods to the group in training.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Tony McNamee said there has been a positive response in training following the defeat at the Carlisle Grounds.
“I’m one of them, you just want the next game to come as soon as possible. Maybe the week off because of the cup might’ve done us the world of good.
“We got a few new bodies in. I know a few players have left but all in all, the training and everything have been positive but all we can look for is a performance and three points on Friday night.”
As McNamee mentioned, there has been some outgoings and incomings at Finn Park in recent times.
Last week, it was announced that left-back Alex Fanle and left-winger Nathan Lumingo have departed the club.
However, there has also been a pair of arrivals through the door in the form of Ronan Ferns and Finn McKenlay.
Ferns, a defender, is a product of the Celtic FC academy and signed for the club following his departure from the Glasgow side. The 19 year-old has also captained Scotland at underage level.
McKenlay, a 20 year-old midfielder, is a New Zealand underage international and most recently played for A-League side Auckland FC.
The duo could make their Finn Harps debuts this Friday night, with McNamee stating that they’ve made a positive impact in the short time they’ve been at the club.
“They’re two good lads, they’re both positive and they seem to be good around the group. They’ve settled in well, they came over last week so they’ve had several sessions with the group.
“Hopefully they settle in fairly quickly and they get used to League of Ireland First Division football.”
Finn Harps will return to the pitch this Friday evening when they welcome Cobh Ramblers to Ballybofey in the League of Ireland First Division.
The sides have met on three previous occasions this term, with the Cork outfit coming out on top twice, while the teams shared the spoils in the other.
Despite the unattractive record against the St Colman’s Park residents in recent seasons, the Ramelton native is hoping that they can get back to winning ways this Friday night. .
“We’re going into the last quarter of the season, everyone will know each other’s strengths and weaknesses now.
“We don’t have a great record against Cobh over the last three or four years. We’ve struggled with them even when they were down towards the bottom and then last year they were flying towards the top of the league.
“I don’t know what it is, whether it’s a bogey team or something, but we just have to make that right on Friday night now.”
Finn Harps head coach Patrick McEleney will be hoping to claim his first win in the role in front of the home support this Friday.
The Navenny Street club’s last victory came on home soil at the beginning of July when they defeated Wexford FC 1-0.
The group will be aiming to end that barren run when the Cork outfit make the long journey north, with McNamee hoping their hard work in training can be carried onto the pitch.
“I know it’s a results based business but if we don’t produce performances and we’re giving away goals then it’s going to be more difficult.
“We played very well in the last home game against Cork, we held them out for 70 minutes and we started to create chances then. When you’re 1-0 down and going for games then you’re defensively more open.
“Training over the last couple of weeks has been positive and hopefully it’ll carry into Friday night as well.”