BY MATTHEW WILSON

FINN Harps full-back Kieran Cooney has expressed that this Friday night is an opportunity to right the wrongs from last Monday’s 2-2 draw with Bray Wanderers when they face the Seagulls once again in the FAI Cup.

The Finn Park residents are entering Friday’s cup clash off the back of a fine 1-0 away victory against Kerry FC.

Harps have left Mounthawk Park with all three points just once in their previous five visits to the ground.

It was an important victory for the side as it has closed the gap on the play-off spots to seven points.

“It was a good win”, said Cooney. ”The team played really well. We knew it was going to be a difficult game going down there, the journey was long so there were a few stops and everyone was tired when they got there. But we managed to pull the three points out which is really big, it puts us back in a good position in the league again after a couple of points lost in previous weeks.”

In a match of fine margins, a big moment was required to swing the momentum in either side’s favour.

This arrived just before the hour mark when Cooney headed home a Michael Place corner which marked his first goal in the blue shirt.

“It was a good feeling and it was relieving as well. I want to be an attacking full-back and be involved in goals and assists so to get the first one was really nice.”

Having only joined Kevin McHugh’s squad at the beginning of July, the St Kitts and Nevis international appears to have found his feet quickly in Ballybofey.

The left-back has put in a series of quality displays, starting all seven matches since signing for the Twin Towns outfit following a successful trial period.

Relocating to the Emerald Isle was the first time that Cooney’s been away from home therefore it took some time to adjust to the new beginnings.

However, he feels like he’s settled in well on Navenny Street and is enjoying the experience at his new club.

“Settling in has been quite easy. All of the lads have been really good with me and all of the coaches have helped me as well.”

“With it being the first summer of living away from home I found it a little difficult at the start but I’m settling in well now and I’m enjoying my football and the experience of being out here.”

The 20-year-old has previously played his football across the water in England before his move to Donegal, beginning his career at RC Warwick.

Cooney would later join the ranks of the Notts County Academy in 2022 before signing a professional contract with The Magpies in 2024.

Kieran explained that the style of play in the two countries is not too dissimilar apart from the physical challenge that the League of Ireland presents. With this considered it has made his transition uncomplicated.

“As a full-back and a wide player, it’s been similar for me. The attacking aspects are pretty much the same and the defensive bit is a little bit more physical, more duels in the air and stuff like that, but I think that’s a part of my game that I’m quite strong at so I think I’ve transitioned pretty well.”

Following last Friday’s league triumph in The Kingdom, attention now turns to cup action for Kevin McHugh’s men.

Finn Harps welcome Bray Wanderers to Finn Park in the third round of the FAI Cup this Friday night with 7.45pm kick-off.

This is a repeat of last Monday’s First Division encounter which saw a last-gasp Cian Curtis header earn Paul Heffernan’s side a share of the spoils in Ballybofey.

Cooney insists that Friday’s encounter presents an opportunity for the team to right the wrongs from last week’s match and is hoping they can perform and advance to the last eight of the competition.

‘It’s an opportunity to put the last game against them right. It’s a free hit in the cup really, it’s an opportunity to go on a run, try to advance to the next round, go up against a big team and just showcase ourselves. We’ve a good squad with young players and we’re all trying to push on and develop.”

“It’s different from the league, anything can happen. We’re just going to keep our heads down, keep working, see what we can do on Friday and try to go for the win.”