New Finn Harps U17 manager Declan Boyle is welcomed by the Harps management team James Gallagher, William O’Conner, Ollie Horgan, Niall McGonagle and Trevor Scanlon. Photo by Ciaran McLochlainn.
FINN Harps legend Declan Boyle will make a return to Finn Park – as manager of the club’s new Under-17 team.
The Killybegs native will require little introduction to Harps fans having made a total of 370 appearances and scoring 21 goals (9 of which came in the 2007 season) during 3 different spells at the club.
Now he will lead the club’s under-17s in the league which gets underway in the autumn.
“It’s great to be back at Finn Park and there is a challenge ahead which I am relishing,” Boyle said.
“I have been lucky enough to play with great players and great teams throughout my career. I know what it takes to be a successful senior footballer. The board, the other coaches and I have all agreed on a strategy, which will lead to us offering elite young players a professional environment, which will give them the best possible opportunity to advance their footballing career.”
Declan made his debut as an 18 year old under caretaker Manager Alex Harkin away to Limerick City in March 1992, and will always be remembered as the man who captained Harps to the First Division Title in 2004.
He also won a league title with Derry City in 1997 and also claimed FAI & League Cup winner’s medals during a successful time at Sligo Rovers which led to a move to Glasgow Celtic.
Finn Harps Youth Development Officer James Rodgers said: “I would like to welcome Declan to the club and I have no doubt he will prove to be a huge asset to Finn Harps and all those concerned with player development. Declan not only brings a wealth of experience as a result of his hugely successful playing career, he is also one of the most respected young coaches in the game. Following Trevor Scanlon’s appointment as Head of Academy, I think Declan’s appointment shows Finn Harps are committed to providing young players with a pathway to senior football“
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