OLLIE HORGAN, the Finn Harps manager, has expressed his delight after recruiting Paul Hegarty as his new assistant manager.
Hegarty was confirmed as Horgan’s new number 2 on Monday ahead of a training session that evening, at which Hegarty was present.
The Ballindrait man was Harps manager from December 2006 until May 2009.
In that time, he guided Harps to promotion in 2007 and stayed on after relegation in 2008.
Hegarty has previously managed Institute and was caretaker manager of Derry City for the latter part of last season following Peter Hutton’s departure from the Brandywell.
He opted not to take the Derry job on a full-time basis after that period, but is back in the game now at Finn Park.
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“Paul knows the League inside-out and he knows this football club very well,” Horgan told Donegal Sport Hub.
“He’s only out of it for about six months now. He’s on the doorstep too, which is an added bonus.
“I’m glad to get that out of the way quickly. I needed somebody to replace Gavin Dykes and we’ve replaced him with someone who has the same qualities. Paul has an awful lot of experience.
“He’ll be a big help to me, to the players and to the club.”
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Interestingly, Hegarty will be the third former Harps manager appointed by Horgan as an assistant having previously had James Gallagher and Dykes as his right-hand men.
Horgan said: “There is no point in me taking in someone who has no experience. That’s vital at this level.
“Paul has been here and managed the club. I look on that as being important.”
Harps returned to training on Monday after the players were given a week off following the 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers.
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They resume League action against Longford Town on Saturday-week at City Calling Stadium.
This Friday night, Harps take on Irish League side Cliftonville at Solitude.
Striker Michael Rafter remains Horgan’s only big injury concern at the moment with the Harps manager also looking out for new players ahead of the opening of the transfer window on July 1.
Horgan has revealed that he had his eye on ‘one or two’ players, but nothing materialised after initial positive soundings. However, the Harps manager remains hopeful of adding to his squad.
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