Harps dealt blow as Ryan Connolly and Regan Donelon find new clubs

Former Finn Harps duo Ryan Connolly and Regan Donelon have found new clubs as the turnover of players continues at Finn Park.

The pair featured heavily for the side in the 2022 season as Finn Harps were relegated to the First Division.

Connolly has signed for Limerick outfit Treaty United while Donelon became the third Harps man to join Galway United in the past week.

Ryan Connolly leaves after three seasons at the club, featuring heavily in their Premier Division campaigns.

The Castlebar native made over 60 appearances for the Donegal side, with his most starts coming this season.

He played 27 times, scoring twice, including a brilliant goal in a 1-1 draw with Bohemians, and a penalty in a 3-2 win against Sligo Rovers.

Treaty United manager Tommy Barrett told club media on the signing: “Ryan is a great signing for us, and he adds significantly to our options in midfield. He’s a good character with lots of experience and will add more leadership to the group. We’re delighted to have him and are looking forward to the season starting.”

Meanwhile, Regan Donelon moves down to Galway United, where he will join up with fellow defender Rob Slevin who joined last week, and manager Ollie Horgan who was appointed as John Caulfield’s assistant manager this week.

The 26-year-old played 25 times in the 2022 Premier Division season in his second spell at the club, having joined on loan from Sligo Rovers in 2015.

Donelon said on his new club: “Yeah, I’m delighted. It could be an exciting journey, it’s a big club, and it’s a big challenge, but Galway should be challenging this season and hopefully be in the Premier Division very soon.”

“I’ve played in the Premier Division since I was 18 or 19. This will probably be my first time playing in the First Division, but there’s a good group of lads here, and a lot of them have plenty of experience themselves. Hopefully, we can all work together and do as well as we can this season.”

Donelon’s Galway United debut could come at Finn Park as the Tribesmen travel to Ballybofey for the opening game of the season, while Harps welcome Treaty United for the first competitive clash between the two sides on the 14th of April.