'We believe in these players': Dave Rogers
Finn Harps manager Dave Rogers praised his patched up squad as they claimed a first home win of the season on Friday night
Dave Rogers believes his Finn Harps squad is coming of age.
Ryan Rainey and Filip Da Silva hit the goals in a 2-0 win over Treaty United in Ballybofey on Friday night.
Harps claimed a first home win of the season despite Rogers being shorn of several key players.
Daithi McCallion failed a late fitness test while Caoimhin Porter was unavailable as his partner went into about.
In the continued absence of Keith Cowan, Cian Lynch and Sean O’Donnell, Rogers’
“We believe in these players,” Rogers said.
“The only way they will stand up to the challenge is if they get the opportunity. I most certainly will give them the opportunity. They have proved that they can stand up. They deserve this.
“It was a real challenge, but it was one that they rose to.”
Shane McMonagle and Kevin Jordan came in for their first starts while Rogers gave Max Johnston his debut off the bench late in the game.
The Harps manager said: “We’re here to give boys a platform and we believe that if you’re good enough then you’re old enough. These boys have come of age. We’re delighted. We just try to keep building momentum now.
“We were outstanding from the first minute. I’m delighted with the clean sheet and delighted to get a home win. We appreciate the fans who are paying hard-earned money to come out and support us.”
Rainey headed in a fourth goal of the season to break the deadlock and Rogers hailed the Bonagee man’s influence. Rainey is wearing the captain’s armband with Cowan out of action.
Rogers said: “Ryan Rainey is a real Finn Harps man. He’s great to work with. We’re delighted with his goal because we had challenged the boys to get a goal from a set play.”
After a heavy 7-1 defeat in Waterford a couple of weeks beforehand, Rogers has been pleased with the reaction of his men.
He said: “After the result in Waterford, we all came in for criticism and rightly so, but we knew that was a one-off. It was a real off day where we capitulated.
“We’re a bit disappointed that we don’t have a few more points on the board. The boys have learned lessons on how to win games of football. Nothing changes with us. We keep going and these boys will keep getting better. We are taking this club forward and we will leave no stone unturned.”