Maurice Harkin (born 16 August 1979) is a Northern Irish former footballer who played as a midfielder. Harkin has played international football for Northern Ireland at both youth and under-20 level.
Started his playing career at Wycombe Wanderers when he was the first player to progress from the youth team in the summer of 1996. His first game was against Barnet in the second round of the 1996âÂÂ97 F.A. Cup where he came on as a substitute in the 60th minute. His first goal did not arrive until 26 August 1997 with a 25-yard chip past the Fulham goalkeeper, a result that ended in a 4âÂÂ4 draw. Between the 2000 and 2001 season, Harkin was called up to the Northern Ireland U21 team nine times, making his debut and scoring a goal as a substitute in the 2âÂÂ1 win over Malta. Harkin was also on the score sheet in the 5âÂÂ2 against Iceland. Local media stated that Aston Villa offered Wycombe ã800,000 for Harkin, but the deal ended when he picked up an injury. At the end of the 2000âÂÂ01 season, at the age of 21, the then manager, Lawrie Sanchez, decided not to renew his contract with the club stating that there was no future for him at Wycombe and maybe a fresh start at another club could restart his football career. Harkin signed with Carlisle on 20 August 2001 on a month deal but was not renewed.
Harkin moved south and joined the Hampshire team of Aldershot Town, who were in the Isthmian League at the time. He only made 2 appearances before going north to Nuneaton Borough on 2 January 2002, before returning south to the Sussex team of Crawley Town in June 2002.
In 2005, he had a short stint at Forest Green Rovers before going to Lewes.
Mo joined his second Hampshire team, Havant & Waterlooville, in June 2006 who were playing in the Conference South. He made history for Havant by scoring the only goal in the 2007âÂÂ08 1st round of the FA Cup against York City and sending them into the second round for the first time. He featured in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Liverpool at Anfield. Although Havant lost 5âÂÂ2 to the Premier League outfit, he was the man on the match.
He joined the newly promoted Conference National side Eastbourne Borough in July 2008. on a free transfer. He made 6 starts for Eastbourne, scoring 1 goal. On Boxing Day, he suffered with a mystery vision problem whilst warming up against Lewes. Harkin was released by Eastbourne at the end of January 2009 transferring to Southern League Premier Division team Farnborough. | In August 2009 Harkin moved to Kingstonian With his first match being a 3âÂÂ0 win over Hendon in an Isthmian Premier League match. During his time at Kingstonian he was loaned out to Hanwell Town