Finn Harps appoint club legend Kevin McHugh as new manager 

McHugh was part of the caretaker team for Friday’s trip to Athlone Town, where they earned a late 1-0 win, and they’ve a longer trip on Friday by trekking to Wexford.

He first arrived at Finn Park in 1998 aged 17, the beginning of a career that would see him make 438 appearances for the club across two spells, scoring 186 times and going down as one of the greatest LOI goalscorers.

After hanging up his boots in 2016, the Killea man began his coaching journey as head coach of the club’s U15 side before being appointed as Head of the Finn Harps Academy in 2017.

The 45-year-old has been part of the first team coaching staff since September 2023 as an assistant and now steps up to take on the management role for the first time.

 New Finn Harps Manager Kevin McHugh, currently serving a touchline ban, added: “It’s a proud moment. After being offered by our board to take charge of the team for the foreseeable future, I jumped at the chance, with Tommy, Eamon, Eoin, Shane and Seamus as a staff and the players we have at the club, the decision was an easy one.

“I have been involved at the club since 1998 and I have the clubs’ best interests at heart. I'm super competitive and want this club to be the same and will make no apologies along the way to help drive up the standards.

“Finally, a direct word to the Finn Harps supporters who have been brilliant in their understanding of where we are at. I’d urge everyone to keep backing this team every week.

“The addition of the singing section has been a really positive addition to Finn Park, and the support has not gone unnoticed by the players, and we really want to grow this connection between players and fans, as that’s really what it’s all about, the fans and the players.”

Finn Harps Chairperson Ian Harkin added: “No matter where you go in Ireland people will know of Kevin McHugh, positioned fifth among the all-time top scorers in League of Ireland.

“Kevin has been at the club since 1998 but when his playing career ended he got involved in our academy and having spent 10 years there the timing has never been better to step up again.

“Three years ago, we implemented a change in direction towards developing our own and becoming more sustainable.

“We will always be supplementing our own academy graduates with players from outside our region but sustainability is key. We want to continually improve standards and who better to drive that than Kevin?

“He is a perfectionist - pushing the boundaries and not accepting the norm. He believes we can do something extraordinary.

“We have some incredible talent in our academy, developing that potential will take time and will take investment in facilities but plans are progressing there too.

“I said it a few weeks ago when we had no points on the table that I am extremely excited by what is happening at the moment in the club. This appointment is a huge step forward, the energy Kevin brings will lift us all to step up and push beyond the boundaries we’ve previously settled for.”