BY DÁIRE BONNAR
FINN Harps new signing Dara McGuinness is looking forward to the new season starting this Friday as he hopes to make his debut when the side take on Kerry in Mounthawk Park (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Athlone native is an Irish underage international, scoring three times for his country.
He came through the ranks at his local club St. Joseph’s FC before moving to Belvedere in Dublin. He then spent time with the St. Pats Academy before making the switch to Shamrock Rovers in 2020.
The 21 year-old spent two years at English Championship Stoke City since but is now eager to get stuck into senior football.
“It’s my first year in proper senior football so it’ll be a big season for me to get a handful of appearances,” McGuinness told the Donegal News.
“Stoke are a huge club and I learned a lot over there and there were some great coaches so hopefully I can apply that all to my game.
“I like to think I’m quick so I’m always wanting to run in behind so I’d say that’s my strength, I’ve been in the gym there a good bit too so hopefully I can use that.
“I’ve been here over two weeks now and the lads, staff and people between Ballybofey to Arranmore have all been welcoming.”
The forward will be keen to make his debut on Friday and hit the ground running against last season’s bottom club.
The Harps face three away games in their first four games, while their one home game is against the newly relegated Dundalk.
But the Irish underage International is prepared for the task.
“We don’t mind the challenge, they all have to come up here so it’ll be hard for them then too.
“I just want to contribute as much as I can between goals, assists and working hard, I’ll do what I can for the team.
“I’ve always kept an eye on the league and I’d have a good few friends playing in the division, I know Finn Park is a hard place to come and play at for away teams with the fans getting behind the team so it’ll be a good place to be.”
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