'My focus is on keeping them grounded': Finn Harps manager Darren Murphy

Darren Murphy insists his Finn Harps squad must stay grounded.

Second in the First Division standings – now just a point off the pace-setters, Cork City – after Monday's 2-0 win over Bray Wanderers, Harps supporters might be daring to believe in a promotion tilt.

Last season, Harps were bottom-bar-one when the sums were totted at the conclusion. Only Kerry FC, the newcomers, were below them.

“Two of the worst years in the club’s history on the pitch,” Haps Chairman Ian Harkin told a November press conference announcing Murphy, in reference to the previous two seasons.

Now, though, Harps are entitled to walk with a renewed belief having tasted defeat just once in their opening eight games of 2024.

“There might be some short-term pain because of where we are at financially, but we can all get through it together,” Murphy said upon his instalment. “Results are important, but we want to put a team on the pitch that people will be proud of.”

On Bank Holiday Monday, goals late in either half by David Cawley and Tony McNamee saw Harps close the gap to Cork.

“It's difficult to stop expectations because that's what supporters do,” Murphy told Donegal Live.

“They want to see their team going well. Once you put yourself in that position, it brings more pressure.

“We just want the players to focus on playing the game. My focus is on keeping them grounded, keeping them a good group and an honest group. If they do that it'll take you on the journey where you want to go.

“They're a good group and I want them to continue to be a good group.”

Murphy is working off a squad of 22 players and pointed to the assistance of under-19 and under-17 managers Tommy Walsh and Russell Porter with his own ranks hit by a handful of injuries.

UCD, managed by Donegal native and former Harps coach William O'Connor, visit Finn Park on Friday night to close the first round of games.

Murphy said: “I didn't set any challenges other than the fact that I wanted us to be competitive in games of football. We have been competitive in all eight so far.

“A lot of people will talk about playing the game in a certain way, but I think that you identify the players you have and then put them into a formation or a system that suits them.

“They keep going and they have belief in themselves. We said to them today to embrace the challenge and they certainly did that.”

McNamee scored in a 1-0 Good Friday win over Treaty United and Murphy described his captain as 'buzzing' on Monday.

A clean sheet represented a third in a row for 'keeper Tim Hiemer.

Murphy said: “It's a massive three points for us. We wanted to back the win at Treaty up. We knew that it would be difficult.”