Shaun McGowan has returned to Finn Harps.
BY AIDAN O’DONNELL
SHAUN McGowan and Paul Simon Tracey will both be named in Finn Harps’ squad for Saturday night’s First Division clash with Wexford Youths in Ballybofey, after both players signed for the club this week (kick-off 7.45).
McGowan (27) returns to the club where he spent the best part of nine seasons between 2001 and 2010, while Tracey (21) spent last season with Ulster Senior League side Killea.
Ballybofey man McGowan first joined Harps in 2001 and after playing a key role for the club’s U21 side, he was handed his first-team debut away to Cobh Ramblers in 2003 by then manager Noel King.
He went onto make 169 first-team appearances and scored 9 goals before joining USL side Kildrum Tigers in 2010 after his contract with Harps was cancelled.
Director of Football Felix Healy is delighted to have him back at Finn Park and is hoping he can form a formidable midfield partnership with Thomas McBride.
Healy said: “Hopefully he will be able to go straight into the squad on Saturday night. He played in a friendly last week and picked up a slight ankle knock but we are hopeful he’ll be okay.
“Obviously, with it being a very inexperienced side the more guys you can get who have been there and done it the better. That’s exactly what we’ll get with Shaun. We’d be hopeful that he would come in and slot in alongside Tommy McBride in the middle of the park.
“You’d like to think they would complement each other, with Tommy pushing more forward and getting on the ball, while you’d be looking at Shaun with having a more defensive mindset and somebody who works really hard for the team.”
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