Finn Harps -v- Waterford United

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps will look to re-enforce their promotion hopes with a win over fellow promotion contenders Waterford United at Finn Park on Friday night. Having lost their unbeaten start to the season in Athlone two weeks ago, Harps returned to winning ways last week with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Salthill Devon at Finn Park.

Speaking ahead of the game Harps boss Peter Hutton stressed that, despite Waterford’s poor start, he knows there will be nothing easy about this tie.

“Waterford are one of the favourites to gain promotion this season and although they’ve had a poor start they have recently started showing signs of improvement by recording important victories,”

“Waterford possess a wealth of experience in their ranks and given their resources they have acquired a quality squad. But we will look forward to the challenge and realise we will have to be at our best gain a favourable result,” added Hutton.

Harps were able to welcome back the injured trio of Tommy McMonagle, Sean McCarron and Ciaran Coll for last week’s game, but Hutton was quick to point out that their absence had not had an unsettling effect nor was it the reason for Harps’ two poor results in the previous two games from which they picked up just one point.

“No I don’t think the team was unsettled at all, they were simply injured and that’s exactly the reason we have a very competitive squad. The starting eleven will continue to change over the course of the season due to injuries and suspensions and it is important that whoever is called upon is physically and mentally ready to hit the ground running. 

“Players will be very disappointed not to make the starting eleven and even more so if not making the match day squad and whilst I appreciate the level of commitment being shown by each and everyone of the squad they need to understand that having a competitive squad is essential if we as a group are to be successful.”

The earlier season meeting at the RSC between the sides finished in a 1-1 draw.  Ben Ryan’s 19th minute goal opened the scoring for the hosts before Sean McCarron scored in the last minute for Harps to claim a share of the spoils.

WATERFORD UNITED

After a shaky start, two hard fought victories and a draw at home to Cobh Ramblers last weekend have steadied Waterford, and have given the Blues a platform to build on. However a workmanlike win over Everton of Cork in the Munster Senior Cup on Sunday last has further boosted morale within the squad.

Now they face an arduous trek to the Northwest to high-flying Finn Harps who sit in third place in the table behind Mervue on goal difference, and who are unbeaten at home this season. United can point to their recent excellent record at Ballybofey, however, and will be hoping to keep that record going after Friday night's game.

Manager Paul O'Brien faces several selection headaches as midfielder Francis Rockett remains out injured alongside long-term absentee Peter Keegan. Striker Vinny Sullivan will have a late assessment of his fitness, but is only rated as 50/50 at present while defender Seamus Long also remains out of contention, serving the last of his four match ban. O’Brien will also be without young midfielders Jack Doherty and Kevin O'Connor will be representing Ireland at Turner's Cross in the Centenary Shield.

Speaking ahead of the game David Breen spoke about how difficult this game will be for his side.

"I know we’re on a small run of three games without defeat but we know we have to improve on this. It’s a nasty one for us against Finn Harps. It’s a tough place to go. They are unbeaten at home and will have their tails up going into the game. I think that we’ll have to be at our very best if we’re going to get a result up there. We’ll have a couple of players back like Frosty and Vinny, a couple of experienced lads," he added.

Referee: John McLoughlin.

MATCH STATS

Although Harps are unbeaten on their last three visits to the RSC, Waterford won on each of their visits to Finn Park last season. This will be the 44th meeting between the two sides at Finn Park. Goals should be expected, as in the previous 43 meetings in Ballybofey only one game has finished in a scoreless draw – that was back in November 1981.

Since Finn Harps returned to the First Division for the 2009 season, the Blues have lost just two of the 14 games between the sides.

There has been one, and only one, drawn match in each of the four full seasons since 2009. We've already seen a draw in the first meeting this season.

BETTING

Finn Harps 5/4, Draw 11/5, Waterford United 19/10.

PREDICTION 

The form book would suggest an away with, but with Harps back to full strength I’d expect them to grind out a 2-1 win

Finn Harps

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Tommy McMonagle (foot), Damien McNulty (flu).
Suspended: None.

Waterford United

Injured:  Peter Keegan, Francis Rockett.
Doubtful: Vinny Sullivan.
Suspended: Seamus Long.