STEPHEN Folan says that says that committing for another year to Finn Harps was a ‘no-brainer’
The defender signed for Harps in the summer having been on the books of Dundalk before moving to Australia for a short spell.
Picture: Finn Harps defender Stephen Folan. Picture by Joe Boland, North West Newspix.
Folan impressed as Harps preserved their Premier Divisions status.
“To play for a club that actually wants you is an honour and a manager that you want to play for it’s a no-brainer,” Folan said.
“I feel like we suit each other, and I’m looking forward to learning more from the coaching staff as I’m approaching hopefully my best years.”
Folan says he called his agent, David Campbell, in the aftermath of the narrow FAI Cup quarter-final loss to Shamrock Rovers and said his mind was made up.
Folan said: “They took me in during the middle of a pandemic and with so much uncertainty out there in the world of football so for that I’m very grateful that Harps brought me into their club and allowed me to go out and enjoy my football first and foremost.
“They really looked after me and I just really enjoyed working with Ollie (Horgan) and Paul (Hegarty) and the rest of the coaching and support staff. I feel like Ollie is building a squad that wants to get better and improve and I want to be part of it.”
The 28-year-old follows Harps’ 2020 Player of the Year Mark Anthony McGinley, Barry McNamee and Mark Timlin in penning a new deal at Finn Park.
It is expected that Dave Wesbter, Tony McNamee and Karl O’Sullivan will follow with their signatures into the book for 2021.
Folan liked what he saw at the club in the last six months and is eager for the new season to roll around.
He said: “Ollie brought me in to use my experience and help the younger ones around me and learn from others aswell, and stay up.
“I feel like by the end of the season we were definitely more of a team compared to when I first came into the group there was definitely more togetherness and that was purely down to Ollie and Paul trying to change people’s mindsets and focus and working hard on the training ground every day they had us.
“I think my season personally got better towards the end as I felt I was starting to get match fit and sharp. I feel like I’ve plenty more to offer than I did last year, and I feel getting a full pre-season behind me will only benefit me and the team, I can’t wait to get started.”
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