BY CHRIS MCNULTY
OLLIE Horgan has been confirmed as the new Finn Harps manager today.
The Galway native emerged as the surprise candidate to succeed Peter Hutton, who stepped down at the end of the season.
Horgan, a PE teacher at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny, is said to have delivered a richly impressive interview and when the Harps Board of Directors met last night it was Horgan who got the nod. Sources within the Harps Board have said that Horgan ‘shot the lights out’ with his interview and was said to have ‘romped home’ in the end when the votes were tallied.
Horgan cut his managerial teeth with Fanad United, whom he guided to three Ulster Senior League titles after he took the hotseat at Triagh-A-Locha from Eamon McConigley.
Horgan is also manager of the Republic of Ireland Schoolboys team and is well regarded within local soccer circles in Donegal following his success with Fanad. He is the current manager of the Fanad Under 19 team who play in the Airtricity Under 19 League.
“His ideas for taking the club forward are very exciting,” said Aidan Campbell, who was on the interview panel.
“He is a very passionate man and the decision was unanimous at the end. His plans are really exciting and we can’t wait for the new season to come around.”
Former Harps player Joe Boyle had been the favourite to take over, while the China-based Don O’Riordan was also in the mix, as were Sean McGowan and a combination of Paddy Foy and Pat McFadden, while Sean Connor announced on Sunday that he was withdrawing from the race.
The dark horse, Horgan, galloped up the home straight, however, and it is he who will lead Harps into 2014.
He will be unveiled at a press conference at 7.30pm this evening at the Villa Rose Hotel.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)