Brian Wright goes down in the history books not only as Harps first professional player but he was also the scorer of Harps first goal in Senior football (pictured above).  Brian doesn’t mind making records as he is also the youngest player ever to have played in an Irish Cup Final. 

 Con McLaughlin signed for Finn Harps as the natural progression of a player who had achieved nearly everything at underage level that one can do in Donegal.  Con who hails from Ramelton, had broken into his hometown club, Swilly Rovers, first team at the tender age of fifteen.  He had progressed into one of the top goalscorers in the Donegal League and had a host of other honours under his belt from the Youth scene.  Con won three international youth caps against Northern Ireland, Finland and Holland, scoring once against the Finns.  He also picked up two goals at junior level when Ireland defeated Scotland by two goals to one.  While with Harps he also won caps at amateur level against Norway.  

John Gerard on his testimonial day (Pic Gerard McHugh)

John Gerard McGettigan had two spells with Finn Harps spanning some sixteen years.  “I don’t remember my competitive debut, but I made my first appearance in a friendly against Derry City at Gweedore United’s pitch in the summer of 1984.”  John G. had graduated from the ranks of Milford United and was asked to sign for Finn Harps by manager Patsy McGowan.   McGowan had been part of the management set up for a Donegal side in the Milk Cup tournament in Coleraine and liked what he saw.  John Gerard saw two seasons service with Harps before departing to Thomond College in Limerick to study as a Physical Education teacher.

Paddy McGrory who passed away on 28 December 2006 was one of a number of men from Derry who helped to establish Finn Harps as a force in the League of Ireland.  Paddy scored Harps second goal in League of Ireland football and was one of only two players who played in both the first game and the 1974 FAI Cup Final victory.  The following article dates from February 2004 and was conducted by Bartley Ramsay.

  
Ray in action during the 2002 First Divsion Cup Final

Ray Kenny, is another graduate from the St Joseph’s Boys club in Sallynoggin in Dublin.  Like Alan Young (who was a couple of years younger than him) and James Mulligan, the former Harps striker in Cork City’s squad for tonight’s game (who played on the same side as him from U-15 level), Ray played his schoolboy soccer with “Joey’s”.  Ray reveals that up until the age of thirteen he actually played in the forward line, “however, I was moved back into midfield and then further back to right back, where I have stayed since.”  Other players to have come from that team to play Eircom League football are Matt Britton and Keith Long, both of whom nearly signed for Harps when Dermot Keely was manager.