Conor Gethins is confident that promoted Finn Harps can hold their own in the Premier Division next season and secure at least a mid-table berth.

The 24-year-old striker weighed in with three crucial goals in the 6-3 aggregate play-off win over Waterford and was today named eircom  / Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of the Month for November.

The award caps a memorable few weeks for Gethins as he was also voted the PFAI's First Division Player of the Year.

"I wasn't expecting it whatsoever and I'm very surprised," he said of today's award. "I'm absolutely shocked. This is the first time in my career when things have really begun to fall into place for me.

"I've had a lot of people coming up to congratulate me over the First Division award and all I've said to them is that it's down to hard work and the quality of the lads around me. Everyone says it but without them you can't win anything."

Although Harps were beaten into top spot by Cob Ramblers, Gethins was to the fore in securing the play-off berth by chipping in with 15 goals during the season.

And having negotiated a path around Waterford, he is already focusing on next season's task.  He appreciates the difficulties that lie in store but is relishing it all the same.

"The main thing is that we get results in our first two or three games to give everyone a lift, we can't get beaten in those first couple of games," added Gethins..

"We're not arrogant but we are confident in our ability and I believe we've got a chance of doing well.

"I'm sure that if (manager) Paul Hegarty adds three or four or five quality players to the squad in the off season then I honestly feel that we can finish above mid table."