Finn Harps consider Patrick McEleney punt after McHugh steps aside

Patrick McEleney is in the frame for his first managerial stint at the age of 33 as successor to Finn Harps manager Kevin McHugh. Pic: ©INPHO/Lorcan Doherty.

Patrick McEleney is in the frame for his first managerial stint at the age of 33 as successor to Finn Harps manager Kevin McHugh.

Defeat at Kerry for Harps on Friday kept Harps anchored to the foot of the First Division and the run of one victory since May 8 may have influenced the decision of club legend McHugh to migrate into a new internal role.

Harps are in the midst of a takeover by Filipino entrepreneur Freddy Gonzalez, who has laid out ambition of bringing the Donegal club into the Premier Division, and it seems former Dundalk and Derry City attacker McEleney is at the forefront of that quest.

“The club acknowledges that this has been an exceptionally difficult season and that financial constraints beyond the manager's control limited the resources available to him and the squad,” said a club statement.

“The board wishes to place on record its appreciation for the professionalism Kevin has shown in those circumstances.”

Former footballer Gonzalez has pledged an €1.6m investment to facilitate the completion of their new stadium in Donegal along with a €500,000 per annum commitment to cover first-team requirements over a three-year period. Club members will vote to ratify the takeover in the coming weeks.

On Sunday night, McEleney’s current club confirmed the retirement of McEleney from professional football with immediate effect. He spent eighteen months at the Showgrounds after arriving from his native Derry City in January 2025, netting three goals in 31 appearances.

An announcement is expected shortly.