Treaty defeat sums up 2024, but Darren Murphy taking hope in Finn Harps youngsters

After the final game of the season, Darren Murphy was asked to sum up the 2024 campaign and the Finn Harps manager could neatly point to the preceding 90 minutes.

Harps deservedly led through Conor Tourish, could and should have had more, but were frustrated by their own missed chances as Treaty United left with a 2-1 win via goals from Thomas Considine and Mark Byrne in the second half.

In their last five games, Harps gave up crucial leads. The previous Friday, Harps led twice in Bray but left with a 2-2 draw and last Monday gave up a 1-0 lead to lose 3-1 to Wexford as their play-off hopes evaporated.

Harps were pegged back by Kerry to draw and were 2-0 up against First Division champions Cork in Turner’s Cross in a 2-2 draw.

Earlier in the season, Harps - who finished only five points off the play-offs - also gave up winning positions in another four games, including an away tie at UCD when they were in front three times only to draw 3-3.

On Friday night, it was a similar tale as the season ended with defeat to Treaty.

“If ever a game summed up a season, it was that one,” Murphy said afterwards. “Again, Treaty didn’t have to work too hard for their goals. They were two poor goals on our part.

“We created numerous chances in the game, but look I won’t be too critical. It just summed up the season. There have been times this season where we have been really, really good at home and we haven’t got our just rewards.

READ NEXT: Coaches wanted: New opportunities at Finn Harps Academy

“I’m a great believer that the League table always levels itself out. I would’ve taken the top of the bottom half to be honest. The expectation was for us to be in the bottom two again. We certainly weren’t that and we’ve had some really good nights. We just came up a wee bit short.”

Last season, Murphy came in initially as interim manager following the departure of Dave Rogers. Harps finished 2023 with only Kerry FC, the League newcomers, beneath them in the standings.

Harps midfielder Gavin McAteer and goalkeeper Oisin Cooney will travel to Nottingham Forest for a trial on the back of encouraging performances having been elevated to the first team ranks.

Scouts from Forest, Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion and Derby County were at Finn Park on Friday night.

“It’s because of how the team has performed that people are coming to look at them,” Murphy said. “That has been important and we just have to dust ourselves down, assess the season and see what comes next.

“It was something that I wanted to do. My background is well documented. I was one of the first people in around the Club NI Programme, which then became the JD Academy. I understand what young players need and this football club has been losing its best players for too long. We have worked hard on that.

“The progression of the young talent has been really good. All in all, the club is in a better place - on and off the pitch.”

Several of the club’s youngsters penned multi-season deals but, as always, winter brings its usual uncertainties.

Murphy told how he has been operating without a contract this year and will take some time to consider his own future.

“I will sit down and assess my season and what I have offered the football club,” he said.

“We have a very, very small budget. It’s probably the smallest budget that I’ve ever worked with in football. Even when I was the manager of Dungannon Swifts, the budget was bigger. It can be tough, but a lot of people here care so much about the football club and do so much behind the scenes.

“I’ll take time now and assess the situation. I was offered a contract at the start of the year, but I didn’t sign it. I must be the only head coach who doesn’t have a contract. I was always comfortable in my own skin and my own environment. I didn’t need the security of a contract to make me work hard.”