Yo Yo Mahdy is one of the newest faces in the squad at Finn Harps, but it hasn’t taken him long to settle in, both on and off the pitch.
Living with a couple of the other new Finn Harps signings, and scoring in his first friendly against Treaty United, he says he’s happy with how things are going so far at the club.
Mahdy said: “Yeah it’s been good, I think I’ve settled in quite well with the lads I’m living with.
“Ollie’s been great to me, I like what he’s had to say to me from the first moment I met him and I like the way he wants me to play.”
Mahdy was part of the Shelbourne team who won the First Division last season and spent 4 years with UCD, making his debut in 2017.
He had a brilliant season in the 2020 season that was cut short, finishing as First Division top scorer, finishing ahead of both the highly rated 2021 First Division top scorer and his former UCD teammate, Colm Whelan, and 2021 Premier Division third top scorer Mark Doyle.
With Finn Harps losing Tunde Owolabi to St. Pat’s, Adam Foley to Drogheda United, Sean Boyd to Shelbourne, and Karl O’Sullivan to Sligo Rovers, Ollie Horgan has had a tough job replacing the 4 men who scored 26 of the clubs 44 league goals from last season.
However, he wasted no time getting Mahdy in the door, who justified the signing with a debut goal.
“Ollie got in touch over the phone and I met him in Dublin, it all happened very quick to be honest.
“It happened on the Wednesday and by the Saturday I was playing with Finn Harps.
“First day for me was the match against Treaty and I was happy with how that went, it was good to make a good first impression.
“He has belief in me so hopefully I can repay him now.”
He’s spent all of his playing career at Premier and First Division level in Dublin, so it’s a bit of a change for the man who turned 24 less than two weeks ago.
On his move up to Donegal, Mahdy said: “It’s different, obviously Dublin’s the big city, and Letterkenny is big but it’s not quite the same!
“The living situation is a bit different but I’m starting to get used to it now and I’m loving it so far.”
Finn Harps play Sligo Rovers at 7.30pm tonight (Tuesday 1st February) at The Showgrounds in another pre-season friendly.
Supporters are allowed to attend, after Harps’ last two friendlies being behind closed doors.
Harps will be kicking off their 2022 Premier Division season against Drogheda United on the 18th February.
