Ollie Horgan appeared a little uneasy at the suggestion that optimism was growing among Finn Harps supporters ahead of the new season.
Michael O’Connor netted a last-gasp penalty to equal Ronan Hale’s first-half goal for Derry on an afternoon when some of Harps’ new faces showed good promise to a few watching fans.
“We basically have a new side and it will take a while for it to come together,” Horgan said.
“We have lost maybe eight starters from last year. Most of those who have moved on were starters. We have a new team and please God it will gel. It won’t happen overnight.”
Michael and Ciaran O’Connor, Aidan Friel, Sam Todd, Eric Whelan, Mark Coyle, John O’Flynn, Mark Hannon and Jesse Devers were among those to see gamete against Derry and Horgan says his transfer business has now been completed.
He said: “Whatever little bit we have to offer is gone and spent. We’ll make do.
“Is that good enough to be in the top half of the table? I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows. Anyone could win that division. Does that include us? I don’t know. I think it will take time with us.
“We have worked hard, myself and Paul (Hegarty), to put a panel together. You’re competing against sides who have been a couple of years on the go and who didn’t get promoted, the likes of UCD, Shelbourne, who are building.”
Listen to the full interview below …