Hectic schedule but Darren Murphy says Finn Harps can cope with the work load

Darren Murphy watched his Finn Harps side climb to second place in the First Division table thanks to a 1-0 win away to Trearty United on Friday night. 

Cork City currently lead the way in the League of Ireland second tier with 17 points from seven games while Harps are three off that pace on 14. 

However, there is little to no respite for Harps as they quickly turn attention to Monday night’s visit of Bray Wanderers. 

And, to round off a hectic seven-day period, they’re back on Navenny Street next Friday night with UCD the visitors. 

On the weekend’s three points, Murphy said his side deserved the win but it took patience before Tony McNamee’s 79th-minute winner eventually landed. 

“I thought we were excellent,” he said. “That’s the first time this season, under my watch, we put in what I’d call a 90-minute performance. We were organised, we kept our discipline and we created chances. 

“I’m really happy for the players - I think we deserved the three points. To come here and get the win is really pleasing. We’ve been good on the road so far this season so that’s a pleasing aspect of it also”. 

Harps now turn attention to Bank Holiday Monday’s home encounter, in Ballybofey, against seventh-placed Bray. 

“We’ll quickly look towards all that and, of course, we also have UCD after and that will finish off that first nine-game period. 

“So recovery now because there are a lot of tired bodies there.  Hopefully, we can bring that same spirit into that. It’s a hectic schedule so we’ll look at all that”.