MAILEY NAMED HARPS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

December 14, 2009

Finn Harps defender, Packie Mailey, was named as the club's Player of the Year at a function in the Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey on Saturday night last.  The big central defender only arrived at the club after the season started but put in a series of impressive performances to earn the accolade.  Mailey earlier this week signed a new one-year contract with Harps and supporters will be hoping that he can turn in a similar series of performances in 2010.

Another of those to have signed a contract for next season was also among the awards on Saturday night.  Goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher, who signed a two year contract which will see him remain a Harps player to the end of the 2011 season, was named as the Young Player of the Year.  Gallagher, still only 17 years of age, made the breakthrough into the first team after Gavin Cullen picked up an injury in the 1-0 defeat to Sporting Fingal at Morton Stadium last April.  Such were the performances of Gallagher that Cullen never regained the number one shirt again on a permanent basis after that.

Brian Lafferty, son of the former Harps player of the same name, was named as the club's ‘A' team player of the year.  Lafferty is one of many of the club's ‘A' team who made the breakthrough into the senior panel last season.  Ryan Gildea was named as the club's under-20 team player of 2009.

Harps Manager James Gallagher thanked the players of all the teams for their efforts during the year and also paid tribute to the club's supporters who remained loyal to the team.  Chairman Joey O'Leary also paid tribute to the club's players, supporters and volunteers as well as the many businesses who continued to sponsor the club on an ongoing basis in 2009.

Anne Kelly and Pat Floyd of the Ballybofey and Stranorlar Supporters Club presented Harps Treasurer John Meenan with a cheque which was the proceeds of a recent fundraising Card Tournament that the Supporters Club had organised.

Ciaran Gallagher

Ryan Gildea

Barney Lafferty

Packie Mailey

Presentation By B+S Supporters