‘They have got to grow up very quickly’ - Darren Murphy

Darren Murphy admits that Finn Harps were ‘second best’ in Monday’s defeat to Athlone Town - and says the youthful Harps have to ‘grow up very quickly’.

A first-half brace by Frantz Pierrot, Athlone’s Haitian striker, set the Midlanders up for a 4-1 win at Finn Park.

A second game in four days was a bridge too far for injury-hit Harps as Haji Abdikadir and Valerii Dolia added further goals for Athlone before Filip Da Silva hit a late consolation for the hosts.

“It was disappointing,” assistant manager Murphy, sitting in for boss Dave Rogers, who had to watch from home due to a stomach bug.

Athlone Town hand Finn Harps the Bank Holiday blues

Finn Harps suffered a heavy home defeat at the hands of Athlone Town on Monday evening.

“Let’s make no bones about it, for large periods of the game we were second best. To be fair to Athloine, they were big, strong, physical and direct. Tonight is the first time where you’ve seen the gap between the young players and the more senior, physical players.

“It’s a learning curve for the young players. A lot of them want the opportunity to play in men’s football and they’re getting that opportunity here at Finn Harps. They have got to grow up very quickly.

“We have to dust ourselves down and go again. It’s a tough League to be learning your trade.”

Murphy was frustrated at the manner of the goals Harps shipped in a heavy home loss.

He said: “We conceded four goals and the goals we conceded were poor goals. The first one is a long ball that catches out the two young defenders, the second is a penalty and the third and fourth ones, there is a free header at the back post and then no-one closed the guy down. It’s hard enough to win games in this League without giving teams goals.”

However, Murphy hailed the Harps support, who provided the bulk of the 1,221 in attendance on Bank Holiday Monday.

Murphy said: “I have never played or been involved in a football club where they have so much backing and so much support. That’s something they need to start realising and feeding off that. They’re magnificent supporters. For them to stay here right to the end and continue to support the team is fantastic and the players have to learn that when the difficult times comes the fans will be with them.”