21 Feb 19
The Irish Sun
SAM TODD reckons Finn Harps need to make the most of their few home comforts in their bid for Premier Division survival.
Harps play their first home game back in the top flight tonight when they host last year’s Double-winners Dundalk at Finn Park.
Finn Harps ace Sam Todd
But defender Todd, 20, already knows what the aim is for this season.
Todd told SunSport: “I’d say it’s the same as most other years, survival.
“That’s what it’s about. Hopefully we can get a few results, get a few wins under our belts.
“We know what most other teams are probably thinking coming here, ‘it’s Finn Harps, ah you know’.
Harps began their Premier Division campaign with a 1-0 loss to Bohs at Dalymount Park
“Hopefully we can get results there, get a few points on the board. It would be great to survive but it will be hard in this division.”
As first visiting opponents go it could not get any harder.
But the Lilywhites are also mindful that new signings such as Jordan Flores and Sean Murray are in for a culture shock.
Finn Park, with its tiny dressing rooms, open terraces and boggy pitch, is as far removed from plush English grounds as you can get.
Harps themselves have been planning for the last decade to leave the ground for their new home in Stranorlar, with hopes of moving now in 2021.
But Todd said: “I don’t mind it to be honest. Growing up, I wouldn’t have played in any mad stadiums so it doesn’t seem any different to any other ground to me.
“Most of the Dundalk players would have been here before but maybe there are a few who are in for a shock.
“It’s probably not up to the same standard as most other grounds in the league. And it’s such a long way that I know a lot of teams hate travelling up.
“We had a good home record last year — having it again is obviously important.
“But of course last year was the First Division and the Premier is going to be much, much harder.”
Finn Harps host Dundalk this weekend
That said, Ollie Horgan has a team with plenty of top-flight experience, with Todd one of the few not to have played in it before last Friday’s loss to Bohemians.
Brought through the ranks by Derry City, the Carndonagh native made the bench regularly in 2017 without seeing action and was loaned out to Harps last season.
After he helped the Donegal men to promotion via the play-offs, new Candystripes boss Declan Devine was keen to bring him back to The Brandywell.
Paddy McCourt, a team-mate last year who is now part of Devine’s backroom team, was also in touch.
But Todd opted to sign permanently for Harps.
He explained: “I was with Derry for the Under-17s and Under-19s and in first-team training and stuff but never really got any game-time until I went on loan to Finn Harps.
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“I was speaking to Declan Devine and of course Paddy was at Finn Harps and went there so I spoke to him.
“But I wanted to stay at Finn Harps. I didn’t want to turn down the opportunity to play. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.
“I made a lot of friends there. I thoroughly enjoyed last year.”