Finn Harps

Finn Park is a rather basic ground, which looks like it hasn't had much money spent on it for a number of years. However to a certain extent this can be understood as the Club have been looking to move to a new stadium, the construction of which was begun in 2012, but has yet to be completed.

The ground is dominated by one large Main Stand on one side, which is affectionately known as 'the Shed' by fans. This covered stand runs for almost the entire length of the pitch and is mostly terrace with a block of 350 seats located near the half way line, towards the Town End. It is not the most attractive of stands and this is not helped by a row of supporting pillars running across it. In front of the stand are the bases of four floodlight pylons which could further impede the view of supporters. The other three sides of the ground are all open, being a mixture of standing areas. The most prominent of these is the Town End. This is end is favoured by home supporters and comprises a stepped terrace with a concrete rear perimeter wall. Opposite is the River End. This has a small simple sloped standing area, the tarmac of which is wide enough to drive a vehicle along it. The remaining side is called the 'Gantry Side'. This is because it is dominated by a tall television gantry which sits astride the half way line. To either side are portions of open terrace that are made up of four wide steps. Towards the Town End on this side there is a Club Shop which is housed in a Portakabin type structure. In the corner of the ground in-between the River End and Main Stand there is a simple looking scoreboard.

The Club have announced that they are to re-start their new stadium project which was previously abandoned in 2012 due to financial difficulties. The Club are to build a new 5,000 capacity stadium close to Finn Park, on the other side of the River Finn, on Railway Road in Stranorlar. To be called the Donegal Stadium it is expected to be open for the start of the 2021 season and will feature a 1,700 capacity Main Stand, with terraces at either end.

When fans are segregated at Finn Park, then visiting supporters are allocated the River End and half of the Gantry Side. The River End has a small standing area running the full width of the pitch, whilst the Gantry Side has a shallow terrace. Both these areas are uncovered, so hope that it doesn't rain. No seating is available to away fans. Food and drinks are provided by the obligatory burger van, however if fans are not segregated than you can take advantage of the home catering including the legendary soup! The home fans aided by a resident drummer to try hard to create some atmosphere. However when segregation is in force it is difficult for away fans to really make some noise from the open away sections. Entrance to the away section is via a turnstile on one side of the Main Stand in Navenny Street.

There is no bar at Finn Park itself, however there are a number of pubs in the local area. Just a couple of minutes walk away on Navenny Street is the 'Barca Bar'. Whilst a little further along on the same road is the 'U Drop Inn'. If you continue up to Main Street then you'll reach Cheers Bar. There are then another four or more bars located on Main Street itself. So for once you are spoilt for choice!

From The East
Follow the N15 heading towards Sligo into Stranorlar/Ballybofey. After passing a large Church on your right hand side, you will cross a bridge over the River Finn. You will then be able to see MacCumhaill Park on your right, which is used for GAA and Hurling. On reaching a large open pay and display car park on your left (which is free after 6pm) turn left into Chestnut Road. After a short distance you will reach the ground on your left. There is also another larger pay and display car park (again it is free after 6pm) just off Navenny Street, near to the ground, which is well signposted.

From The South and West
Follow the N15 into Ballybofey. After passing a Lidl store and then an Esso petrol station on your right, take the next right turn into Townview Heights. You will pass a large pay and display car park (which is free after 6pm and handy for the ground) and at the end of Townview Heights turn left and Finn Park is in front of you. 

From The North
Follow the N13 towards Stranorlar/Ballybofey. On entering Balllbofey you will reach a t-junction with the N15. Turn right onto the N15 towards Sligo. Then as From the South and East.

High profie games
For high profile games where segregation of fans is in force, then away supporters are allocated their own car park at Qunn's Cash & Carry which is located across the road from the away entrance on Navenny Street. On these occassions part of Navenny Street is closed meaning that you can't access this car park from the Main Street. If approaching from the South then continue along the Main Street and then after passing MacCumhaill Park on your left and then crossing the bridge over the River Finn, turn right just past the Church onto Railway Road. At the end of Railway Road, turn right onto Millbrae Road. At the end of Millbrae Road, turn right onto Navenny Street. The ground is further down this street on the right, whilst the car park is opposite on the left.

If approaching from the North along the N13. Then at the junction with the N15, then rather than turning right towards Ballybofey, turn left. Then turn right into Millbrae Road. If approaching from the East, then on entering Stranorlar just before an Emo garage on the right, turn left opposite Maguire's Bar into Millbrae Road. Then as above.

Please note
When entering Ballybofey you will see floodlights of two stadiums. The one with the smaller floodlights is Finn Park, whereas the one with the larger ones is MacCumhaill Park, the home of Donegal's Gaelic football and hurling County teams.

Ballybofey has no railway station. The nearest main station is Waterside Station in Derry, in Northern Ireland is around 45km away. Whilst the nearest Irish Rail station is in Sligo some 90km away!

There is a regular bus service from Derry which takes around one hour. On Friday evenings the last bus back to Derry leaves at 22:32 from Butt Hall on the Main Street. On arriving in Derry you can then get the midnight bus to Dublin, which takes around another four hours. There are other daily Bus Services to and from from Dublin (either changing at Lifford or Donegal), but on Friday nights after the game the Derry Bus and then onto Dublin, is the only option of returning to the capital, unless you stay over and depart the next day. All these bus services are operated by  Bus Éireann.

Seats*
All Seats €15 (No concessions)

Terrace
Adults €12
OAPs/Students  €10
Secondary School Students €5 (ID must be shown)
Under 12's Free (When accompanied by an adult)

* To gain access to the seating then you pay the normal terrace price at the entrance gate and then an additional transfer charge inside the ground to access the seating area.

Official Programme €3

The main rivalry is with Derry City.

Record Attendance

To be advised

Average Attendance
2019: 1,158 (Premier Division)
2018: 713 (First Division)
2017: 1,312 (Premier Division)

If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going. 

Official Website: www.finnharps.com

Official Social Media
Facebook: Finn Harps Group
Twitter: @FinnHarpsFC
YouTube:  Finn Harps Channel

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: contact@footballgroundguide.com and I'll update the guide.

Special thanks to Steve Porter the 'Ulster Groundhopper' for the video of Finn Park. Videos of some of his other ground visits can be found on the Ulster Groundhopper YouTube Channel. Also thanks to Trevor Gordon for the Finn Park photos.