Finn Harps contend with key injuries ahead of new season

Finn Harps will be without Ryan Rainey and Sean O’Donnell for the opening chapters of the 2024 season.

Vice captain Rainey is awaiting the results of a scan to an injured ankle while O’Donnell sustained a shoulder injury in the 2-0 defeat to Derry City at the Brandywell last month.

Rainey suffered a reoccurrence of an ankle ailment and the midfielder had a scan on Saturday, the results of which will dictate his period of absence.

“Ryan came back and he broke down again,”Harps manager Darren Murphy told Donegal Live. “The scan now will determine the damage, whether it’s a going-into-a-boot job or not. We’ll know when we get the results and take it from there.”

Tony McNamee confirmed as new Finn Harps captain

Ramelton man Tony McNamee has been handed the captain's armband by Finn Harps manager Darren Murphy while Ryan Rainey will be the vice captain for the 2024 season

O’Donnell is on the mend, but it will still be ‘in and around three or four weeks’ before the Carndonagh man can return to training.

Buncrana youngster Kevin Jordan looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The left-back suffered an injury in a recent friendly against Strabane Athletic and will undergo a scan in the next week to determine the extent of the damage.

“The first signs are that it’s not good,” Murphy said.

On-loan Bohemians attacker Chris Lotefa has an ankle injury, but is expected to return to training on Monday in advance of Saturday’s trip to Longford Town which gets the First Division season underway.

Murphy expects Lotefa to be able to take his place in the squad for the visit to Bishopsgate.

The Harps manager said: “We just have to work with what we have - and I am happy with what we’ve got.

“It’s been important that we have been able to compete without those players.

“They are all in it together and there will be tough times. The ultimate goal is trying to stay together as a squad - that is hugely important in building a bond.”