In pictures: Finn Harps hail its people and seek ambition at 70th anniversary

Click on the arrows to go through the photos by Thomas Gallagher

Finn Harps Chairman Ian Harkin has said the club must turn its narrative into one about ambition again.

Harkin addressed a function on Saturday night at the Villa Hose Hotel in Ballybofey to mark the club’s 70th anniversary.

These might be uncertain times of sorts around Navenny Street. The club is pinning its hopes on

These might be uncertain times of sorts around Navenny Street. The club is pinning its hopes on a new membership scheme into which patrons - number, they hope, in the region of 3,000 - will pay €25 annually.

into which patrons - number, they hope, in the region of 3,000 - will pay €25 annually.

Manager Darren Murphy, whose side finished closer to a play-off place than many would’ve anticipated, has yet to declare his immediate future.

Harkin touched on the early press coverage of Harps in the 1970s after being elected into the League of Ireland in 1969.

“The words and the general feelings to describe the club in the press was ‘ambition’, about getting into Europe and a feeling that we belonged at the top table, being the underdog and triumphing,” he said.

“However, since the 1980s, the media coverage has been about ‘survival’. We need to get back to being ambitious. It is time for the club to be ambitious once again.”

Harps now have 11 teams, including under-17 and under-19 women’s teams and a mixed Down Syndrome Futsal side.

He paid tribute to those who have passed and hailed the club’s many volunteers who continue to work heroically to keep Harps alive.

He said: “Today is about celebrating the people: the people who support the club through thick and thin, the people who volunteer, the people who dip their hands in their pocket to pay wages.”

Harkin is a son of former Harps secretary and long-time board member Alex Harkin, who also had a spell as interim manager.

People and connections were evident all through the room. The 83-year-old Kathleen O’Neill, whose brother Joe Logan was a star of Harps in the 1970s and 80s, was present to recall her life on the terraces.

Current Harps captain Tony McNamee, who has signed a new two-year deal, is a nephew of Harps legend Con McLaughlin - the first Donegal man to score 100 goals in the League of Ireland.

Lifelong programme seller Billy Vance sported official club attire that he mused was over 45 years old and former Chair Sean Quinn reflected on his own trojan work to keep the flame burning.

Saturday’s function was chiefly organised by former Board members Joey O’Leary and Denise O’Neill.

In keeping with the themes of people and ambition, Murphy considered the steps made since he initially took charge on a caretaker basis in September 2023.

“We have made small steps in the right direction,” he said. I get the disappointment that we fell a wee bit short of the play-offs, but I don’t think too many people would’ve thought we’d have went to the 35th game of the season still in with a shout. That doesn’t come down to me, that comes down to the players.

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“We have definitely got ourselves into a really good place. I see us as a football community and I am a real believer in together you’re stronger.

“We all want to be in the promised land of the Premier Division, but the next time we go there we have to be ready to stay there.”