Ollie Horgan says Derry City friendly will make picture ‘clearer’ for Finn Harps

Ollie Horgan says he’ll get a clearer picture of the task facing Finn Harps in 2019 when they play Derry City on Friday night.

Harps have won two and drawn one of their pre-season games so far, but they take on Premier Division opposition for the first time at the Brandywell on Friday night (7.45pm).

Last night, an experimental Harps drew 1-1 with the Inishowen League having beaten Galway United and Limerick in their first two games.

“We need to seriously improve on the way we have been performing in the three friendly games that we now have played,” Horgan said.

“It’s going to take a hell of a lot of hard work on and off the pitch to put us in a position to be competitive even against the sides who will be expected to be in the middle or at the lower end of the Premier Division table.”

Horgan has added the likes of Raffaele Cretaro, Sam Verdon, Colm Deasy, Daniel O’Reilly and Harry Ascroft to his ranks over the closed-season, while others remain on trial.

Ciaran Coll, Paddy McCourt, Jesse Devers, Tommy McBride, John Kavanagh, Aidan Friel and John O’Flynn are among those no longer at the club, but Horgan has been boosted with the return to action of goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher, who missed the play-off win over Limerick in November.

Horgan added: “ We’ll push on now and get ready for the game against Derry City at the Brandywell on Friday night.

“That will be a big test for us. Our lads have to step it up as Derry are the highest ranked opposition that we have played so far in terms of pre-season friendlies. The picture will be a bit clearer of where we are at after Friday night’s game.”