Just two days after stepping down as Finn Harps manager, Darren Murphy has been appointed as the new boss at Loughgall.
The side are bottom of the Northern Irish Premier Division, nine points behind Carrick Rangers in second last with just five games remaining in the season.
Loughgall Chairman Sam Nicholson said: “We moved swiftly to appoint a new manager, and after a thorough selection process, we believe Darren is the ideal candidate to drive Loughgall FC forward. His vision and expertise will be invaluable in developing our boys and girls youth academies our development squads, and first team.”
The Chairman also thanked Finn Harps for their co-operation in the process.
The news comes off the back of Finn Harps’ emphatic 5-0 win over Bray Wanderers last Friday night, their first win of the season after six games as they currently sit eighth in the First Division.
The 50-year-old joined Finn Harps as Assistant Manager to Dave Rogers for the 2023 season but replaced the manager as Interim for the remainder of the season when the Liverpool man left in September of that year as the club finished ninth.
He then was appointed as manager for the 2024 season which saw a much improved finish despite missing out on the play-offs, as the Harps finished in sixth place and signed a new three-year-contract in November 2024.
A statement from the club read: “Finn Harps FC can confirm that First team Manager Darren Murphy has departed the club. The club’s Board of Directors wish to thank Darren for his commitment over the past two years and for his efforts in developing the pathway between the Finn Harps Academy and the First Team.
“The current coaching staff of Kevin McHugh, Eamon Curry and Tommy Canning will take charge of the team until further notice.”
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