FINN HARPS received a major boost yesterday when the recent dispute over the plans for the club by a consortium of Donegal businessmen was finally resolved and Dermot Keely returned to the manager's position.
Additional guarantees regarding the future of the club at Ballybofey as well as other aspects of the new group's plans for the club eventually eroded resistance to the move which is expected to mean the availability of between £100,000 and £150,000 for ground improvements and team strengthening at Finn Park.
The new group of investors are Bobby McDaid, Diarmuid CoIl, brothers John and Gerard Gallagher as well as Aeneas McBride and the consortium is expected to confirm the appointment of Pat Gallagher as the club's business and commercial manager.
Outstanding fees for players already signed by Keely during the close season are likely to be paid over the coming week and the side's first outing will be against Dundee tomorrow evening while their first competitive match of the season will be against Derry City on August 18th in the League Cup.
At Dundalk, meanwhile new manager John Hewitt has completed the signing of Scottish trio Les Fridge, Paul Patterson and Ian Nesbitt while he has also agreed terms with striker Joe Gallen for the forthcoming season.
Gallen, a brother of QPR player Kevin, scored 10 goals for the club last season despite suffering from a string of minor injuries. "I hope that a fit Joe Gallen can score 20 goals or more," Hewitt said yesterday.
Eddie Van Boxtel, however, is leaving the club for Linfield with Hewitt likely to complete the signing of John Grace over the next few days as cover for newcomer Fridge.
Manchester United, meanwhile, who take on a National League selection at Tolka Park this Sunday, have announced that the Neville brothers, Gary and Phil, and Peter Schmeichel will miss the trip because of their late return to training after the European Championship.
Alex Ferguson has, however, named a strong squad for the tie with Roy Keane, Eric Cantona and Ryan Giggs all included in the party of 19 players.
