James Gallagher is welcomed on board by Ollie Horgan. Photo: Declan Doherty
BY CHRIS MCNULTY
FORMER manager James Gallagher is back at Finn Harps after being confirmed as the club’s new Senior Coach.
Gallagher was manager at Finn Park between May 2009 and April 2011 and has now become the first backroom appointment by new boss Ollie Horgan.
“I probably could have been back before now, but I think now is the right time and under the right man,” the 33-year old told the Donegal News.
“Under the circumstances the club finds itself in, with the stadium progressing and with the 60th anniversary next season it’s a good time to come back. There is potential there.
“I have experience of being in there before and I’m coming back to do a job for Ollie and a job for the club. Ollie will give 100 per cent and it’ll be the exact same from me. The club will know that, whatever happens during the season, there’ll be nothing wrong because of a lack of effort.”
Gallagher took over as Harps manager after the departure of Paul Hegarty in 2009 and was manager until he was sacked after a run of seven games without a win at the start of the 2011 season.
The former Celtic and St Patrick’s Athletic player takes up the position of Senior Coach, while he is also likely to sign on as a player at Finn Park.
Last season, the Meenlaragh was goalkeeping coach at Derry City, where he played the role of understudy to number 1 ‘keeper Gerard Doherty.
“It’s something that I’d be willing to do,” he said.
“I try and keep myself in good shape so if I have to step in for a game or two it won’t be an issue.”
It has been confirmed by Harps that Horgan has been signed on a two-year contract as manager, with the option of a third pending a review following the initial two seasons.
“This is a long-term project to put a model together,” said Board member Aidan Campbell. “It’s about training and preparing a professional outfit. We hope the project will make us competitive.”
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