RUAIRI HARKIN is hoping to put a ‘frustrating’ spell behind him and help keep Finn Harps afloat in the Premier Division.
The 29-year-old midfielder’s move to Finn Harps, as reported by Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub last week, has been finalised and the Derry native will be in the squad for tonight’s game against Bohemians at Finn Park.
In May, Harkin was released by Cliftonville and has been looking for a new club since.
“The last couple of years have been frustrating for me with injuries to my two knees and the fact that Cliftonville play their games on an astro turf pitch wasn’t helping me,” Harkin said.
“So, I’ve been training on grass over the summer and I’m looking forward to doing my best for Ollie [Horgan] and Harps. I know it’s going to be difficult but hopefully we can keep this run going.
Harkin spent part of the 2009 season on loan at Harps under James Gallagher’s watch.
At the time, Harkin was on the books of Derry City and the player is highly regarded by Harps assistant manager Paul Hegarty, who worked closely with him at the Candystripes.
Harkin moved to Coleraine in 2012 before signing for Cliftonville in 2016. However, he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury not long after signing with the Reds and couldn’t nail down a regular berth.
Ollie Horgan, the Harps manager, believes Harkin’s experience could be vital in the coming weeks. Tonight’s game sees Harps begin the final quarter of their campaign.
Horgan said: “Ruairi has ten years experience in senior football on both sides of the border. So, that should be a help to us and it gives us more options within the squad. For Ruairi personally, we hope that he can get up to full fitness because he’s had his difficulties with injuries in recent years.”
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