By Matthew Wilson
Finn Harps midfielder Bernardo Monteiro is hoping that the side can bounce back from their opening round defeat when they face UCD this Friday at Finn Park.
Following a positive pre-season campaign, there will have been a lot of optimism ahead of Finn Harps’ first league encounter away to Athlone Town last Friday.
However, it ended in disappointment as Kevin McHugh’s outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat in what is described as the side’s ‘local derby’ due to the lengthy trips within the First Division for the Donegal club.
Bernardo Monteiro made his competitive debut for the team in this contest and he expressed that there were areas of their play that they can improve on going forward.
“We could’ve done better. It’s always tough when you lose and it was our first official game but there’s a lot of things that we did well also.
“We played against a good team and a tough crowd as well. I think there’s things that we can do better as a team, things that myself personally can also do better and that’s where we’re looking at ahead of UCD now on Friday.”
Monteiro is one of six new signings that Kevin McHugh has added to his squad in recent months and he’s an exciting player with good experience already in the game.
The Portuguese International has played his football in the United States since 2021 but speaking to the Donegal News, he discussed that he’s settled in well since locating to Ballybofey back in December and he’s enjoying his experience on the Emerald Isle.
“It’s lovely. A great team, a great club, good people taking care of us. We got a warm welcome from the guys and the coaches.
“It’s a small town, it’s peaceful and I like it. We can stay more focused on football and the job that we have to do on the field. So far I’ve no complaints, it’s been a great experience.”
Monteiro and the five fellow new recruits integration into the squad at Finn Harps was helped by a positive pre-season which saw the group head across the Irish Sea to England.
While in England, Kevin McHugh’s squad competed in friendlies against Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic Under-23 sides and the Portuguese man stated that it was a brilliant experience which helped to build bonds with his new teammates.
“It was very nice and a great experience to play against Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic. We also watched the Bolton first team play in the stadium.
“Just hanging out with the guys in the hotel, for you to play well as a team it’s important to build those relationships off the field as well. I think we’re just getting tighter, I’m getting to know the guys and they’re getting to know me as well.
It’s about building those relationships because you want to go to war with the guys that you are playing with.”
The Cascais native has applied his trade in various countries during his footballing career to date, lining out in places such as Portugal, United States, Cyprus, the Netherlands and now Ireland.
The style of football played in the above countries will be contrasting and one thing that Monteiro has observed during his short tenure in Donegal is the physicality and intensity of the League of Ireland.
“Everywhere is a bit different. I would say one of the things that I’ve noticed a lot is how physical and intense the game here is in a good way.
“Again, it’s football. Every player here even if they’re bigger, stronger or more intense, at the end of the day it’s just football. There’s a lot of quality here as well, it’s not just like it’s a physical league, there’s players here with loads of quality so it’s been a good experience.”
The Navenny Street Club are back in action this Friday night when they meet UCD in their first home game of the season at Finn Park.
William O’Connor’s side came out on top in three of the four league encounters between the pair last term but the Finn Park residents secured a convincing 3-0 win over them in the FAI Cup.
It will be a memorable occasion for Bernardo Monteiro, with him set to make his competitive home debut for Finn Harps and his mother is set to travel to Donegal to witness this occasion.
Kevin McHugh’s men will be seeking to bounce back from last Friday’s disappointment down in Athlone and get their first win of the league campaign in front of a home crowd.
The Students got their season off to a winning start last weekend courtesy of a 2-1 win over Kerry FC. The Portuguese native is aware of the quality that UCD possesses but he believes that his side have the quality to come out on top in Finn Park.
“We’re going to play against a good team but we will back ourselves, we want to get our first win. We’re playing at home and I believe that we have the team to win this game on Friday so that’s what we’re going to work to do.”
