Board appointments confirmed for Finn Harps Academy CLG
The CLG has been incorporated as an independent non-profit entity whose purpose is to own the stadium asset, hold infrastructure grants, and oversee academy development
Finn Harps have confirmed the appointment of directors to the Finn Harps Academy CLG.
In December, members of the Finn Harps Co-Operative Society Ltd gave the green light to the establishment of the CLG, which was said to have been designed to oversee the deliverance and subsequent management of the new stadium in Stranorlar.
The CLG is an independent non-profit entity whose purpose is to own the stadium asset, hold infrastructure grants, and oversee academy development.
“This structure ensures that all capital investment, including LSSIF and other public funding, is managed under a dedicated governance framework separate from the football club,” Finn Harps said in a statement.
“Player registrations remain with Finn Harps FC, and a formal licence agreement will govern the relationship between the two entities.”
The Finn Harps Academy CLG was first incorporated in December 2022.
The club has now confirmed that Barry Patton has been appointed Chairperson with Rory White serving as Secretary.
Martin Gallagher, Breda Sullivan, Barrie McElhinney, and the Finn Harps FC Chairman Ian Harkin have also been appointed as directors.
White, Gallagher and Harkin - current directors of Finn Harps - will serve on the main Harps board as well as the CLG board during what Harps say will be a “transition period”.
“Further directors will be appointed to the CLG board in due course, with the objective of operating fully at arm's length from the football club,” Harps said.
Stranorlar native Patton is the Financial Director at Medtronic and was previously CFO and Finance Director at Amaris Hospitality, who spent 26 years at Intel Corporation including a decade as Ireland Site Finance Director.
McElhinney, who hails from Buncrana, is Strategy and Scope Development Manager in the Capital Investments Division at Iarnród Éireann. He was previously a Project Manager at John Paul Construction and Galldris Group in London.
Ballybofey woman Sullivan is Head of Depositary Services Europe at US Bank and Executive Committee Member at US Bank Europe DAC. She has a senior background in financial services, custody, and depositary oversight across a number of major European institutions.
Harkin, is the founder of Lottie, the internationally-distributed toy brand who previously worked as finance manager with Wates Construction; Gallagher is Chairperson of Donegal Eduction Support Centre; while White is a Guidance Counsellor at Donegal ETB.
Harkin said: "The establishment of the CLG is a significant step in how we govern and grow this club.
“It gives our infrastructure ambitions a dedicated, professionally structured home and provides greater accountability to our members, our funders, and the wider community. We are grateful to everyone who has agreed to serve on this board and we look forward to the work ahead."
At the AGM in December, Finn Harps Co-Operative Society Ltd shareholders were told that without the CLG “the stadium and centre of excellence cannot be funded”.
The CLG structure also allows for VAT registration, a crucial factor in making the stadium project financially viable. It was outlined that VAT recovery on large capital builds could save the club in excess of €900,000 during the first phase of development - savings not available under the current co-operative structure.
Without this, “the project becomes financially unworkable”, members heard.